UN Report Highlights Telegram's Role in Organized Crime

The UNODC’s findings highlight that Southeast Asia has emerged as a major hub for a multibillion-dollar industry that exploits victims globally, generating an estimated $27.4 billion to $36.5 billion annually from fraudulent schemes. Despite the arrest of Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, in August for allowing criminal activities on the platform, the app continues to face scrutiny for its privacy policies and the ease with which criminals can navigate its environment. Telegram has reportedly complied with multiple data requests from U.S. law enforcement, yet the UNODC warns that consumer data remains vulnerable to scams and exploitation.

Key Findings of the UNODC Report

• Criminal Activities: Telegram is allegedly used for trading hacked data, including credit card information and passwords, and for selling cybercrime tools like deepfake software and malware.
• Money Laundering: The platform hosts unlicensed cryptocurrency exchanges that offer services for laundering money.
• Economic Impact: The report estimates that fraudulent schemes in Southeast Asia generate between $27.4 billion to $36.5 billion annually.
• Privacy Concerns: Despite assertions from Durov that privacy policies have not changed, the app’s role in facilitating crime raises ongoing concerns about user safety and data protection.

Telegram’s Response

Following Durov’s arrest, Telegram has stated its intention to cooperate with legal authorities and to remove features that are misused for illegal activities. However, the UNODC report suggests that the platform still provides a conducive environment for criminal operations, putting users at risk of scams and other illicit activities. With over 900 million users, the challenges posed by organized crime on Telegram remain a pressing issue for regulators and law enforcement agencies worldwide.