According to the German newspaper, the data belong to suspected terrorists and child abusers. However, it is still difficult for German investigators to obtain information from representatives of Telegram in cases involving other criminal offences.
In Germany, Telegram has become particularly popular among the so-called Querdenker (Lateral thinker) movement that opposes coronavirus restrictions and compulsory vaccination.
In February, at the request of the German authorities, the messenger blocked 64 channels whose content the government considered "extremist." This was preceded by threats from the interior minister, Nancy Faeser, to block the Telegram messenger throughout Germany.