Telegram Ready To Hand Info On Terrorists To Security Services By Court Ruling - Lawyer

Telegram is ready to hand over information on terrorist suspects to security services on the basis of a court order, the messenger's lawyer Pavel Chikov told the Kod Durova (Durov's Code) website on Tuesday.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 28th August, 2018) Telegram is ready to hand over information on terrorist suspects to security services on the basis of a court order, the messenger's lawyer Pavel Chikov told the Kod Durova (Durov's Code) website on Tuesday.

"We, as representatives of Telegram, have never denied the right and even the authorities' duty to fight terrorism, on the contrary, we offered exactly such a civilized way - a court request in exchange for disclosure, and not even correspondence, but only IP and telephone [number].

The balance of national security interests and privacy protection should be found," Chikov said.

He said Telegram agreed to hand over information only about concrete users suspected of terrorism, while massive distribution of data is out of question, adding Telegram will publish reports on antiterror cooperation with security services every six months.

Chikov said the changes in Telegram's privacy policy are a consequence of the court dispute with the Federal Security Service (FSB).