Following his arrest, Durov, who is currently out on bail, announced that the app would now hand over users’ IP addresses and phone numbers to authorities who make legal requests. He also mentioned that certain features that have been abused for illegal activities would be removed. Benedikt Hofmann, UNODC’s deputy representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, expressed concerns about Telegram being an easily navigable environment for criminals, putting users’ data at a higher risk of being used for scams or other criminal activities.
A report highlighted the significant profits earned by criminal groups in the region, forcing them to innovate by integrating new business models and technologies into their operations. This includes the use of malware, generative artificial intelligence, and deepfake technology. UNODC identified more than 10 deepfake software service providers specifically targeting criminal groups involved in cyber-enabled fraud in Southeast Asia. Police in South Korea, a country heavily targeted by deepfake pornography, have launched an investigation into Telegram to determine if the platform facilitates online sex crimes.
In neighboring Asia, a hacker used chatbots on Telegram to leak data from a top Indian insurer, Star Health. This resulted in the insurer suing the platform. Using chatbots, Reuters was able to access and download policy and claims documents containing sensitive information such as names, phone numbers, addresses, tax details, copies of ID cards, test results, and medical diagnoses.
The shift in Telegram’s policies to comply with legal requests and to remove certain features highlights a growing concern about the app being exploited by criminals for illegal activities. UNODC’s warning about the risks of user data being used for scams or criminal activities emphasizes the need for increased security measures within the platform. The integration of advanced technologies like deepfakes by criminal groups in the region poses a significant challenge to law enforcement agencies in combating cyber-enabled fraud.
The investigation launched by South Korean police into Telegram’s role in facilitating online sex crimes underscores the platform’s potential involvement in criminal activities beyond cyber-enabled fraud. The breach of data from a major Indian insurer through chatbots on Telegram serves as a serious warning about the vulnerability of sensitive information on the platform. This incident may prompt further legal action against Telegram to address security concerns and protect user data from unauthorized access and leaks.
Overall, the combination of increased legal scrutiny, the use of advanced technologies for criminal activities, and the growing concerns about privacy and data security on Telegram point to a complex and evolving landscape of cybercrime in the region. As criminal groups continue to innovate and adapt to new technologies, it becomes essential for platforms like Telegram to enhance security measures and cooperate with law enforcement agencies to combat illegal activities effectively. The incidents involving deepfake technology, online sex crimes, and data breaches raise significant challenges that need to be addressed promptly to protect users and prevent further exploitation of the platform for criminal purposes.
