Foreign media: Telegram provides user data to US authorities, court documents reveal

BlockBeats news, October 17 - Independent media Court Watch, in collaboration with 404 Media, reported that recently released documents from a U.S. federal court show that privacy-focused social app Telegram provided specific user privacy data to U.S. authorities after receiving a valid legal request.

The documents include a reply letter sent by Telegram in September 2026, containing the user's phone number, user ID, account display name, and the IP address and timestamp of the last login. Telegram described the provision as "voluntary," but stated that it does not recognize U.S. jurisdiction and did not provide any chat content or contact information.

Previously, Telegram adjusted its policy starting September 2024 to disclose IP addresses and phone numbers when judicial authorities confirm that a user is suspected of criminal activity in violation of its terms of service. Throughout 2024, it responded to approximately 900 U.S. law enforcement requests involving 2,253 users.