The in-app Wallet feature within Telegram will be temporarily unavailable for users in the United Kingdom. This decision comes after the Wallet in Telegram service joined the Open Platform and is restructuring to meet regulatory standards. According to an announcement made on September 25, the wallet provider stated that the service would resume once the entity is officially registered as a crypto asset provider under the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Wallet Services Paused for Compliance
Wallet, a popular third-party service integrated into Telegram, has voluntarily chosen to comply with the FCA’s regulations. As part of the process, UK residents will not be able to use the in-app wallet features until the proper licences are secured. During this period, UK users can still withdraw funds to external wallets without any fees. The company will keep users updated on their accounts and any changes in service availability.
It’s important to note that Wallet in Telegram is not operated by Telegram itself. The decision to register with the FCA is a move made by the wallet provider independently of Telegram. It has no connection to other recent policy changes involving Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov.
Telegram’s New Data Sharing Policies
Following the arrest of Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, the messaging platform announced new policies to share user data with law enforcement. If a valid legal request is made, Telegram will now provide authorities with user information, including phone numbers and IP addresses. This decision has raised concerns among privacy advocates, who fear potential misuse of the data by state actors.
In response to criticism, Durov explained that these changes aim to deter criminal activity on the platform. He emphasised that Telegram’s primary purpose is to help users connect with friends and discover news, not to facilitate illegal activity. In a message to the Telegram community, Durov stated, “These measures should discourage criminals. We won’t let bad actors jeopardise the integrity of our platform for almost a billion users.”
Other Updates to Telegram Features
In September 2024, Telegram also made other significant updates. The platform disabled its personal geolocation feature, replacing it with a “Businesses Nearby” option. Additionally, Telegram dropped support for its “Telegraph” blogging tool, citing misuse by a small number of users who had been spreading harmful content.
Although only a tiny percentage of users were involved in such activities, Durov emphasised that this minority posed a considerable threat to the wider community. Despite these challenges, Telegram remains committed to ensuring a safe environment for its nearly one billion users.
