Telegram has begun mass blocking of channels related to doxxing (distribution of personal data) and extortion. The service's founder, Pavel Durov, announced this on his channel.
The blockings followed numerous user complaints. Over the past three weeks, Telegram has received hundreds of reports of fraud and blackmail. As a result, dozens of channels were closed, whose administrators demanded money for removing defamatory publications. Some attackers offered victims paid "protection services" from further attacks.
According to Durov, blocking only occurs when there is evidence of violations. Telegram continues to identify and remove such channels, and their creators, according to the company, will be quickly detected even when trying to create duplicates.
Telegram is not a place for doxxing or blackmail. And to those who run such channels: don't waste time creating clones - we will find you.
Previously, Telegram had already tightened its policy regarding cybercrimes, including spamming and phishing attacks.