TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Following a meeting between Telegram CEO Pavel Durov and Communications and Information Minister Rudiantara today, Durov announced that Telegram cannot provide the government with a full access to encrypted conversations.

Telegram features a private and public channels that can be used by its users. A public channel publishes contents openly to a vast target audience, which is similar to social media giant, Twitter.

Read: Minister Rudiantara Meets with Telegram CEO Pavel Durov

Durov added that Telegram can only provide the government with an access to take down contents related to radical activities and terrorism in public channels. Meanwhile, the access to private channels will remain restrictive.

Read: Minister Demands Counter-Radicalism SOP from Telegram

Durov said that no change will be made for private channels considering that Telegram is bound to privacy rules and agreements. Durov added said that the policy is implemented globally. Durov also pointed out that the Indonesian constitution protects the right of personal information.

Earlier, Communication and Information Minister Rudiantara and Pavel Durov discussed the standard operating procedure before the ban on Telegram is lifted. Durov explained that his company has appointed an Indonesian speaking moderator to communicate with the Indonesian government.

PUTRI THALIAH | EA