Telegram and data privacy: Durov outlines the limits of compromise

Privacy as a strategic foundation

Telegram founder Pavel Durov has once again emphasized that user privacy remains a non-negotiable principle for the platform. According to his statements, Telegram has never disclosed the content of private messages and would refuse to operate under conditions that require systematic access to user correspondence. This position reflects a broader philosophy where trust is treated as the core asset of the service.

Since its launch, Telegram has positioned itself as an alternative to platforms that rely on extensive data collection. With the rapid growth of digital surveillance worldwide, this stance has become a defining competitive factor rather than a purely ideological one.

Scale, statistics, and regulatory pressure

As of 2025, Telegram reports more than 900 million monthly active users, with daily message volume exceeding 100 billion messages globally. Around 40% of users rely on the platform as their primary source of news and public communication. Such scale inevitably attracts the attention of regulators, particularly in the European Union, where discussions around encrypted services and law-enforcement access continue to intensify.

Durov has clarified that Telegram complies with legal requests only within strict boundaries. Under the EU Digital Services Act, the company may provide IP addresses and phone numbers of suspected users, but only when presented with a valid court order. The architecture of end-to-end encryption, however, technically prevents access to message content.

Geopolitics, censorship, and user trust

Telegram’s data protection policy has been especially controversial in Russia, where authorities previously attempted to block the platform after failing to obtain encryption keys. Despite these efforts, Telegram remains one of the most influential communication tools in Eastern Europe. Studies suggest that over 70% of independent political and social content in the region is distributed via Telegram channels.

Analysts note that Durov’s consistent messaging is aimed at preserving global trust. In an era where digital platforms face increasing demands for transparency and control, Telegram’s refusal to compromise on message privacy positions it as a symbol of resistance within the broader debate on cybersecurity and digital rights.