SEOUL – Telegram, a messaging app once celebrated for its strong privacy and anonymity, has dramatically changed course by actively cooperating with South Korean law enforcement in criminal investigations, marking a significant policy shift.

The Korean National Police Agency announced on June 29 that since October 2024, Telegram has complied with more than 95% of data requests made by South Korean authorities. To date, the platform has provided over 1,000 sets of user information, including subscriber identities and IP logs, aiding police investigations.

Upon receiving requests in the correct format, Telegram reviews them to ensure compliance with its internal policies and international law before providing the data.

This enhanced cooperation has contributed to a sharp increase in arrests related to sex crimes, drug trafficking, and deepfake pornography production. A notable case in May involved South Gyeongsang Provincial Police apprehending a high school student who created and distributed deepfake images, along with 23 other members of the network. The police conducted undercover operations and collaborated closely with Telegram to dismantle the ring.

Experts believe the shift began after Telegram’s CEO, Pavel Durov, was detained in France in August 2024, amid investigations into the platform’s role in facilitating illegal activities such as child pornography, drug sales, fraud, and money laundering. In response, Telegram revised its privacy policy and strengthened its protocols for cooperating with law enforcement worldwide.

Despite these efforts, some analysts caution about a “balloon effect,” where criminals simply move to other encrypted messaging apps like Signal, Viber, and SimpleX.

South Korean police are reportedly engaging in discussions with other platforms to maintain investigative access and continue their efforts to combat online crime.