Pavel Durov Announces Removal of ‘People Nearby’ Feature on Telegram
On September 6, 2024, Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, announced several major changes to the platform, including the disabling of certain features and a new focus on content moderation. One of the most significant changes was the removal of the ‘People Nearby’ geolocation feature.
A Measure Against Feature Abuse
Durov explained that while the majority of users abide by the rules, a tiny percentage of individuals, approximately 0.001% in his estimation, were misusing certain features maliciously. In response, Telegram took steps to protect its entire community. One of the targeted features was the ‘Telegraph’ blog, which allowed for media uploads. Although the vast majority of users did not abuse this feature, individuals with ill intentions had ‘hijacked’ it, according to Durov.
End of Personal Geolocation
The ‘People Nearby’ feature, which enabled Telegram users to locate others in their vicinity, has frequently come under criticism for its potential for surveillance by authorities. It was suspected of being used to pinpoint and track dissidents in certain countries. Durov announced that this feature would be replaced by a ‘Local Businesses Nearby’ option, refocusing its use on professional and secure local service discovery. He emphasized that the personal geolocation feature was only used by a minuscule minority of users, which motivated its removal.
Legal Allegations in France
These changes coincide with legal accusations against Telegram and its founder in France. Pavel Durov and his brother, Nikolai, are accused by French authorities of enabling the dissemination of abusive content on their platform, including images of child exploitation. French prosecutors argue that Telegram has not implemented sufficient moderation policies to prevent these abuses and that the founders have refused to cooperate with investigators on criminal cases. In August 2024, Pavel Durov was officially indicted for money laundering, conspiracy, and providing unlicensed cryptographic services. French authorities claim that Telegram indirectly played a role in the spread of illicit content by not responding firmly enough to these infractions.
A Anticipated Response
Facing mounting legal pressure, Durov publicly addressed the situation on September 5, 2024, for the first time since his arrest. He used his own Telegram channel to clarify recent events and defend his platform’s actions. He stressed that these accusations did not reflect Telegram’s commitment to user security and protection. The platform has already made several changes to strengthen content moderation in both private and public discussions. Notably, adjustments have been made to the Telegram FAQ section regarding moderation practices in private discussions, signaling a shift in its approach to criticism.
Durov reaffirmed Telegram’s goal for the coming year: to improve content moderation and address criticisms by ensuring a safer environment for users. While most of Telegram’s features are appreciated by its users, the platform must navigate between user expectations, privacy protection, and increasing legal requirements worldwide.
