Telegram's Commitment to EU Laws: Setting the Record Straight

Yesterday, a French newspaper published a claim that my brief detainment in France last summer had "finally" forced Telegram to comply with European regulations.

This statement is not just misleading — it’s entirely false.

Telegram has always been compliant with European Union laws. 🇪🇺

The Real Story: Compliance and Misunderstandings

After the events of last August, it wasn’t Telegram that changed its approach — it was actually the French police who finally began following the correct legal procedures as outlined by the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA).

Following the Digital Services Act framework, French authorities started submitting their data requests to Telegram in the proper legal way. This allowed French courts to successfully receive critical information, such as the IP addresses of criminal suspects, in full accordance with European law. 🧑‍⚖️👮‍♂️

In reality, the correct process for law enforcement agencies to contact Telegram had been publicly available long before last summer. Whether through our apps, our official website, or even a simple Google search (try "telegram eu police"), the necessary instructions were — and still are — easy to find.

Why French courts and police had overlooked these clear procedures for so long remains a mystery.

What’s clear, however, is that Telegram did not ignore European rules — rather, it was certain parts of French law enforcement that had not been following them properly.

Telegram’s Respect for France 🇫🇷

I have great love for France and immense respect for its police force.

That’s why, until now, I chose not to highlight these facts — I didn’t want to cause unnecessary embarrassment or tension.

However, when such blatant misinformation is circulated, I believe it’s crucial to set the record straight.

Telegram’s Longstanding Global Compliance Efforts

Telegram is proud to be the second most popular messaging app in the world.

We invest millions of dollars every year to maintain compliance with legal standards in every country where we operate.

Especially within the European Union, we don’t wait for laws to come into effect. We proactively prepare for upcoming regulations years in advance. Our legal, compliance, and engineering teams work tirelessly to ensure Telegram remains one of the most secure and law-abiding platforms available.

How Law Enforcement Agencies Can Legally Contact Telegram (Step-by-Step)

If you represent an authorized EU law enforcement body and need to submit a legal request to Telegram, here’s how to do it correctly:

1. Visit Our Official Contact Page

• Navigate to our official support page or simply Google “telegram eu police.”
• Direct link: Click Here.

2. Submit a Proper Legal Request

• Requests must fully comply with the EU Digital Services Act.
• Include clear legal basis, official case details, and specific data being requested.

3. Telegram’s Legal Review

• Our specialized legal team will review the request for compliance with EU laws.
• We process all valid, legally sound requests promptly and securely.

4. Secure Transmission of Data

• When appropriate and legally authorized, Telegram provides the requested information securely to the requesting authorities.
• We strictly uphold user privacy and transparency while fulfilling our legal obligations.

Conclusion

At Telegram, compliance with global laws — especially European laws — isn’t an afterthought.

It’s a core part of our mission to offer a secure, legally compliant communication platform for millions around the world.

We will continue to stand for truth, transparency, and respect for all legal systems — while protecting the rights and privacy of our users.