Telegram is once again in the eye of the storm. The app, known for its focus on privacy and freedom, has become fertile ground for all kinds of scams, especially those related to cryptocurrencies and money laundering. Although the company tries to dissociate itself from the problem, the controversies do not stop growing.
And it is not the only accusation against it. Telegram, the platform created by Pavel Durov, has also been singled out by LaLiga for allegedly facilitating the piracy of soccer matches through illegal IPTV. Added to this are legal proceedings for connections with the dark web and, more recently, new cryptocurrency scams that have affected thousands of users.
What was once a space of freedom to communicate without censorship is now becoming a nightmare for many. As part of its latest attempts to bring order, Telegram has shut down two channels dedicated to cryptocurrencies that were actually stealing users' personal data.
Although the platform continues to close illegal channels almost daily, scammers do not give up: it only takes a few hours for new ones to open again. The truth is that Telegram has become a real black market, where sensitive data is traded, identities are stolen and even money is laundered through cryptocurrencies.
The latest to fall have been Huione Guarantee and Xinbi Guarantee, two channels of Chinese origin that, as reported by Reuters, came to move about $35 billion. Yes, you read that right: billions. This operation is already considered one of the largest worldwide in the fight against digital crime.
These channels were specialized in buying and selling stolen personal data, affecting thousands of people. According to cybersecurity experts, their closure is a major blow to fraud networks operating online, although they also admit that this is only one battle won in a war that is far from over.
Read more: The 10 Best Telegram Chat Groups and Channels on the Dark Web
Although some Telegram channels have already been shut down, that doesn't mean those responsible have stopped operating. In fact, Huione has announced that its Huione Crypto and Huione Pay services will also be pulling down the shutters, following a controversy that has even splashed the Cambodian government.
As confirmed by US authorities, Huione was run by a conglomerate with roots in Asia and connections to senior Cambodian government officials. US intelligence had been working for months to erase any trace of these platforms from its financial system, and they have finally made a move. Although they had already eliminated several channels related to money laundering through crypto scams, Huione and Xinbi kept reappearing under new names, trying to stay active.
For its part, Telegram has tried to distance itself from the whole scandal. After receiving criticism for facilitating content piracy (such as IPTV soccer), Pavel Durov's app updated its policies, but according to cybersecurity experts, it is still quite permissive with scammers.
So far, Telegram has not said much on the subject. It has only reminded that these types of activities are prohibited in its terms of use and that they block illegal channels when they detect them. But beyond that, the company remains silent and avoids jumping headlong into the controversy.