Following Founders’ Arrest, Telegram Will Allow Moderation of Private Chats.

"Telegram CEO Pavel Durov released his first public statement since being arrested and signaled a big change for the company."

https://gizmodo.com/following-founders-arrest-telegram-will-allow-moderation-of-private-chats-2000495589

If you were using Telegram for privacy before, it's now time to stop. If they can access the chats at all, it's not private. Use signal.

#Telegram #Privacy #E2EE #Encryption

In the past I have only seen PayPal spontaneously demand at arbitrary/unexpected moments that I jump their their hoops -- to login and give them more info about me. I reluctantly did what they wanted, and they kept my account frozen and kept my money anyway.

So I’ve been boycotting PayPal ever since. Not worth it for to work hard to find out why they kept my account frozen and to work hard to twist their arm to so that I can give them my business.

Now an actual financial institution is trying something similar. They are not as hostile as PayPal was (they did not pre-emptively freeze my account until I dance for them), but they sent an email demanding that I login and update my employment information (even though it has not changed). Presumably they will eventually freeze my account if I do not dance for them to satisfy their spontaneous demand.

I just wonder how many FIs are pulling this shit. And what are people doing about it? Normally I would walk.. pull my money out and go elsewhere. But the FI that is pushing KYC harassment has a lot of power because they offer some features I need that I cannot get elsewhere, and I have some stocks through them, which makes it costly/non-trivial to bounce.

I feel like we should be keeping a public database on FIs who pull this shit, so new customers can be made aware of who to avoid.