Durov announces to disabling of personal geolocation on telegram

Durov to disable personal geolocation: “People Nearby” is suspicious

In a significant move, Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, revealed on September 6 that the platform would disable the “People Nearby” feature, a personal geolocation tool that allows users to find others in their vicinity. This decision comes as part of Telegram’s ongoing efforts to improve privacy and security for its users while addressing concerns over the misuse of certain platform features.

Why Durov announced disabling of “People nearby” feature

Durov explained that the “People Nearby” feature had only been used by a small fraction of the Telegram community. However, despite its limited use, it posed privacy risks, especially considering that a small number of malicious actors could exploit this tool for harmful purposes. To enhance user safety, the personal geolocation function will be replaced by a “businesses nearby” option, allowing users to discover businesses and services without compromising individual privacy.

Another change announced by Durov involves the removal of media uploads to the “Telegraph” blogging platform, a feature that has been abused by a tiny portion of users for illicit activities. While the majority of Telegram users adhered to the platform’s rules, Durov emphasized that “0.001% involved in illicit activities” posed a significant risk to the rest of the community. By cutting off this feature, Telegram aims to reduce the potential for misuse while maintaining its commitment to user security and privacy.

Durov’s announcement comes amidst a broader push to overhaul Telegram’s content moderation practices. He stated, “This year we are committed to turning moderation on Telegram from an area of criticism into one of praise,” indicating that further improvements are on the way to safeguard the platform.

Criticism faced by Telegram

Telegram has faced criticism in recent months, especially from authorities in France, who accused the platform of not doing enough to combat the spread of harmful content. In light of these allegations, Durov’s recent moves reflect Telegram’s resolve to better manage and monitor platform use while preserving the privacy and freedom that millions of users value.

The latest changes are expected to roll out soon, marking a new chapter in Telegram’s evolution as a secure, user-focused platform. With these updates, Telegram is balancing its core values of privacy and freedom with the need for responsible and effective moderation.

Also Read: Pavel Durov Telegram Updates: 10M Subscribers and New Features