In a significant shift from its previous stance, Telegram has disclosed sharing data of 2,253 users across 900 U.S. government requests during 2024. This marks a substantial increase from their earlier record of fulfilling only 14 requests affecting 108 users prior to September 2024.

The platform’s new transparency report reveals this dramatic change following a policy update in September 2024. While previously limiting data sharing to terrorism cases, Telegram now cooperates with law enforcement on broader criminal activities, including cybercrime, illegal goods trading, and online fraud.

This policy shift came after mounting pressure from authorities, culminating in the arrest of Telegram’s CEO Pavel Durov in France. Durov faced charges related to cybercrime complicity, organized fraud, and resistance to lawful interception requests.

Under the revised privacy policy, Telegram will share users’ IP addresses and phone numbers when presented with valid judicial orders confirming criminal activities that violate their Terms of Service.

Despite some cybercrime groups announcing their departure following these changes, cybersecurity firm KELA reported minimal impact on criminal activities on the platform as of December 2024. The full effect of this policy change will become clearer with the next transparency report, expected in April 2025.

Users can check their country-specific transparency reports through Telegram’s dedicated bot.