Spiegel: Telegram collaborates with the German authorities and transfers data on suspects in terrorism

The Telegram messenger in some cases transfers information about German users to the Federal Agency for the German Criminal Police, writes Spiegel. The sources of the publication claim that the security forces received information about several Telegram users who are suspected of terrorism and cruelty to children (pedophilia is also attributed to it). However, the police refused requests for other cases sent to Telegram.

According to Spiegel, the German Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Justice of Germany in early February held negotiations in video conference mode with representatives of Telegram to establish cooperation in the field of information exchange and blocking the forbidden content. The meetings were attended by the founder of the messenger Pavel Durov and three more representatives of the company. Durov allegedly told the German side that he considers the German market important for his business.

After the negotiations of Telegram and the German authorities, they created a direct closed channel of interaction, according to which the information interested in the police is sent. On the same channel, security forces send the requirements for blocking content. As a result, more than 80 Telegram channels and 90 chats of the right-wing ramp were blocked.

According to the German Center for Monitoring, Analysis and Strategies (CEMAS), more channels and users have already been blocked in Germany in 2022 than in the past (for the whole year - only 25 channels). However, there is no systematic in such locks - they seem to be carried out on a selective basis.

Cemas says that Telegram automatically monitors publications that appear in 3 thousand German -speaking channels and groups, uniting supporters of right -wing extremism and conspiracy theories.

In Germany, Telegram is criticized that it allegedly has become a platform that neo -Nazis, supporters of conspiracy theory, anti -Waxers and those who use the language of hatred actively use. Some officials proposed blocking Telegram in Germany if the social network continues to ignore local legislation. This, in particular, was said by the Minister of Internal Affairs of Germany Nancy Fezer. She also called on Apple and Google to remove Telegram from the application base.

At the end of January 2022, it became known that the Ministry of Justice of Germany was conducting two investigations against Telegram. According to the representative of the ministry, the messenger faces a fine of 55 million euros for not having his representation in Germany. The German authorities sent two letters to the Telegram headquarters to the United Arab Emirates, but did not receive an answer.

Telegram denies that they cooperate with state bodies. Although back in 2018, Pavel Durov announced a revision of the privacy policy. The new rules, according to him, allow you to disclose IP addresses and user phone numbers by court order.