Telegram to set up office in Kazakhstan to boost legal compliance

Telegram will open an office in Kazakhstan, boosting its compliance with the legal framework in the country.

According to a new law in the country, social media companies are required to own a physical office in the country. In addition, the companies are also expected to appoint representatives.

Confirming the development, the Minister of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry Baglan Madiyev said that Telegram is in talks to fulfill these conditions.

The new development will help Telegram work with regulators in the country to block and remove harmful and illegal content efficiently. Madiyev noted that the collaboration will aid both Telegram and the country improve digital safety and security for its citizens.

Telegram shifts policy amid Durov’s legal battles

Telegram’s decision to move into Kazakhstan is coming off the back of recent changes to the platform’s operations. Recent pull from several governments has made the company more open to cooperation especially concerning bad actors, illegal content, and data security.

In light of these requests, Telegram has shown its readiness to comply with government requests for user data on demand. This is a new change to the platform’s previous reluctance to work with law enforcement.

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has also been embroiled in several legal issues with serious implications due to the platform’s operations.

Durov was recently arrested in France where he was detained till a bail condition of €5 million was perfected. Also, he has been barred from leaving the country as part of his bail conditions was to report to the police twice in a week.

The legal team representing Durov had initially dismissed the issue stating that their client had nothing to hide. However, if he were to be found guilty, the penalties could be severe, having a straining effect on the leadership structure of Telegram.

Aside from that, Durov is also in court after his former partner filed a complaint of physical and psychological abuse against him. In addition, she alleged that he also mistreated their youngest son between 2021 and 2022.

New features and functionalities rolled out amid legal and compliance challenges

Amid the compliance issues and legal drama, Telegram is still rolling out new features and functionalities on the platform. The company is focused on rolling out engaging and interactive functionalities for its users.

One of the new features is the gifting system where users can send animated gifts to each other, which can then be converted into stars. The functionalities of the stars include a badge of ownership of stars and their use to purchase items in-app.

Similarly, the company has also rolled out a new feature for companies that are interested in verification on the platform. According to Telegram, the verification service will cost companies $0.01 per verification.

The latest tool will ensure trust and communication security between users and businesses on the platform. With this new feature, Telegram is on pace to become one of the most reliable platforms for both users and companies.

Another important feature is the updated reporting surface which now has AI-driven capabilities. This way, users will be able to submit more detailed reports in real time.

Telegram has also touched up its video functionality for iOS users. The improved functionality will foster performance upgrades while better battery optimization. With users calling for love-streaming options, the platform will now support RTMP streaming. This feature will help users broadcast their live streams through custom stream keys.

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