In a bid to address concerns regarding illegal activities on the platform, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has unveiled a series of updates to revamp the company's moderation policies. These changes come in the wake of Durov's recent arrest, which has brought attention to the platform's alleged role in facilitating criminal activity.

Acknowledging that a small percentage of Telegram's vast user base is involved in illicit actions, Durov emphasized the negative impact their activities have on the platform's reputation and the interests of its nearly billion users. In a statement on Telegram, he stated, "While 99.999% of Telegram users have nothing to do with crime, the 0.001% involved in illicit activities create a bad image for the entire platform, putting the interests of our almost billion users at risk."

To address these concerns, Telegram quietly updated its FAQ page, allowing users to report private messages. Previously, the page stated that chats were "private amongst their participants" and that the company could not "process any requests related to them." This change indicates a shift towards more proactive moderation efforts.

Durov publicly addressed his arrest on Telegram, critiquing it as a "misguided approach" by law enforcement. However, he also acknowledged the criticism surrounding the platform's lax moderation, attributing it to a surge in user count. Durov stated, "Voices claiming inadequate moderation are not without merit; the abrupt increase in user count has caused growing pains that made it easier for criminals to abuse our platform."

In an effort to restore faith in the platform, Durov revealed that ten million users are currently paying for a premium subscription on Telegram. With over 950 million users worldwide, Telegram claims to be one of the top five most downloaded apps globally.

French prosecutors have reportedly launched an investigation into Telegram over allegations of its involvement in criminal activities, including the distribution of child pornography and drug sales. Durov, a Russian-born billionaire, founded Telegram in 2013 as a messaging platform similar to WhatsApp. Previously, in 2006, he founded Vkontakte, known as Russia's Facebook.

Durov's arrest has drawn criticism from notable figures in the social media industry, including Elon Musk of X and Chris Pavlovski of Rumble, as well as Russian President Vladimir Putin. Additionally, Durov is facing a separate criminal complaint in Switzerland alleging physical violence against his son, leading to a connected investigation by Parisian officials.

As Telegram moves forward with its moderation revamp and response to legal challenges, the platform aims to strike a crucial balance between user privacy and curbing illicit activities, ensuring a safer environment for its millions of users.