There have been multiple recent warnings from federal, state and local law enforcement given the plague of threats on our phones. Chinese text hackers, call and messaging scams, and dangerous installs. Now the latest warning tells iPhone and Android users to delete one of the world’s most popular messaging apps with more than a billion users.
We’re talking Telegram, which has something of a reputation for doubling as a hyperscale messaging app and dark web marketplace for criminals. Ironically, while Telegram was always steadfast in its refusal to share any data with law enforcement, that changed following the arrest of its founder Pavel Durov in Paris last year.
Nonetheless, that news hasn’t caught up with one local force in New Mexico, which says it can trace “more than 90% of illegal gun and drug deals” to Telegram. Albuquerque Police is focusing on the most serious forms of juvenile crime and its message to parents is stark. “If your kid has this app, just go ahead and delete it. Just wipe it off their phone and tell them I don’t want to see that app again.”
In response to APD’s statement, Telegram told me that it “cooperates with law enforcement agencies around the world to process legitimate requests. In the United States, in 2024 alone, Telegram cooperated with a total of 900 requests to share the phone number and IP address of 2253 users. Telegram has responded to several requests from Albuquerque law enforcement agencies.”
APD takes a different view, claiming Telegram “doesn’t respond to U.S. law enforcement,” and suggesting that an alarming recent incident with four students bringing handguns into school is likely down to Telegram’s marketplace.
Telegram says this is just speculation and disputes the lack of cooperation. “Local transparency reports are released quarterly. While our rapid growth has led to some growing pains, Telegram’s moderation efforts meet or exceed all industry standards. Each day, moderators empowered with custom AI and machine learning tools remove millions of pieces of harmful content, including the sale of weapons.”
In my experience, Telegram is working to clean up its act, albeit there’s lots to be done. They are responsive in a way that wan’t the case before, and there has been a u-turn on law enforcement collaboration that’s almost awkward given the nature of some of the user base. That said, an unregulated marketplace will always be a threat.
“Criminal activity exists on every platform,” Telegram told me, “despite efforts to combat it – just as crime persists in any big city, even with active policing. This does not detract from the significant efforts Telegram puts forth.”
