Telegram’s surge in user data sharing: challenges for data protection in France
In 2024, the messaging application Telegram recorded a spectacular increase in satisfied requests for user data from law enforcement agencies. This phenomenon raises major questions about the protection of privacy, particularly in France, where this right is deeply rooted in societal and legal values.
Key figures and global trends
Telegram has considerably stepped up its cooperation with the authorities worldwide:
- United States: 900 requests accepted, affecting 2,253 users, compared with just 14 requests involving 108 users at the start of the year.
- India: 14,641 requests granted, affecting 23,535 users.
- United Kingdom: 142 data transmissions, affecting 293 users.
An alarming phenomenon in France
The situation in France is particularly striking. The data provided by Telegram shows a meteoric rise in requests for cooperation with law enforcement agencies in 2024, with 4 cases in the 1st quarter, 6 cases in the 2nd quarter, 210 cases in the 3rd quarter and finally 673 cases in the 4th quarter..
In all, 2,072 French users had their data passed on to the authorities, with over 50% of cases concentrated in the last quarter.
Context and implications
This explosion in requests comes against a troubling backdrop :
- In August 2024 (Q3), Telegram CEO Pavel Durov was arrested by French authorities for refusing to cooperate in sensitive investigations, including those related to child exploitation.
- This event seems to have marked a turning point in Telegram’s policy, as it is now more inclined to hand over data to law enforcement agencies.
The legal framework in France : a delicate balance
In France, the protection of personal data is governed by the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and the French Law No. 78-17 of January 6, 1978, on Information Technology, Data Files, and Liberties (commonly known as the « Informatics and Liberties Law »), supervised by the Commission Nationale de l’Informatique et des Libertés (CNIL), the French Data Protection Authority, is responsible for overseeing data privacy compliance in France. ». Here are some key figures for the CNIL’s actions in 2023-2024:
- 42 sanctions handed down in 2023, representing more than €89 million in fines.
- 168 formal notices, up from 2022.
- 16,000 complaints processed and 340 inspections carried out.
Despite this rigorous framework, the evolution of Telegram’s policy reveals shortcomings in the protection of user data.
A change in Telegram’s policy
Telegram’s privacy policy specifies that data such as IP addresses and telephone numbers may be passed on to the authorities upon presentation of a valid court order. However, the extent and speed of this cooperation following Durov’s arrest is cause for concern. It reflects the growing pressure exerted by governments on technology companies, even those historically renowned for their strict protection of privacy.
Conclusion : an essential debate between security and privacy
The evolution of Telegram’s cooperation with law enforcement agencies, particularly in France, highlights a key issue: how to reconcile the demands of national security with respect for the fundamental right to privacy?
While France has a solid legal framework for data protection, the explosion in data transmissions via Telegram in 2024 reveals a worrying shift. There is an urgent need to open a public debate on the transparency of the practices of digital platforms and to strengthen control mechanisms to safeguard individual freedoms in the digital age.
Sources :
- Telegram transparency report
- https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/blog/hotforsecurity/telegram-transparency-report-highlights-rising-data-demands-from-law-enforcement
- https://www.business-humanrights.org/fr/derni%C3%A8res-actualit%C3%A9s/telegrams-transparency-report-reveals-surge-in-sharing-user-data-with-law-enforcement-agencies/
- https://www.lemonde.fr/en/pixels/article/2025/01/08/telegram-gave-more-user-data-to-french-authorities-after-founder-s-arrest_6736824_13.html
Étudiant Master 2 en droit de l’économie numérique à la faculté de droit de Strasbourg