Is Telegram Safe To Use?

There is a high chance that you may not have heard about Telegram before 2021. Yes, the World’s second most popular instant messenger spent most of its time under the shadow of WhatsApp.

However, after WhatsApp’s privacy policy fiasco two years ago, numerous individuals flocked to Telegram, seeking a more secure messaging platform. But Is Telegram safe enough for you to consider the switch? Let’s analyze it.

Nowadays, phones have evolved beyond just making calls and sending 160-character text messages. As the internet becomes more affordable and accessible, IM apps have grown simultaneously, providing a more personalized and customized messaging experience.

Billions of messages are being transmitted daily over these apps, which also encompass multimedia, personal data, and other information. Telegram claims to be the safest messaging app on the market, prioritizing privacy over profit.

Is Telegram Safe?

Launched in 2013 by Pavel Durov and Nikolai Durov, Telegram is a cloud-based chat service known for its stringent privacy framework. Pavel Durov openly criticized WhatsApp’s weak privacy system on many public forums and was always committed to providing a secure messaging platform where users can communicate and share data confidently.

On the surface, Telegram is a safe platform that, in contrast to its competitors, provides way more privacy management tools. The platform has experienced substantial expansion over the years, especially after Facebook’s controversial privacy policy for WhatApp. But is it 100% safe?

Let’s explore Telegram’s privacy and data protection approach and find out whether the claims made by the company hold ground or not.

How Does Telegram Handle Your Data?

let’s look into Telegram’s data policies:

1. End-to-End Encryption:

Telegram ensures top-tier security by employing the popular end-to-end encryption in Secret Chats. Messages are encrypted on the sender’s end and can only be decoded by the designated recipient. Although end-to-end encryption is not applied by default, users can conveniently switch to Secret chats and enjoy risk-free conversation.

2. Open Source and Security Edits:

Telegram is an open-source platform and makes its source code, protocols, and APIs available for public scrutiny. This allows researchers to thoroughly examine the privacy features and data handling policies and highlight the potential vulnerabilities. Telegram also welcomes third-party security audits that contribute to identifying and addressing potential security weaknesses.

3. Data Storage:

Telegram uses the in-house MTProto protocol to store the data in the cloud. This protocol relies on server-client encryption and operates through a distributed network, with data stored in multiple global data centers. This architecture allows users to access their Telegram data across various devices.

4. Limited Data Collection:

Telegram collects minimal data for account creation, curbing users’ digital footprint. Metadata remains unencrypted, encompassing only essential details like IP address, device specifics, contact list, and user ID.

Telegram Privacy and Security Features:

But, from a user’s point of view, Telegram has continuously introduced new features and security protocols to guarantee users can use the platform without compromising their privacy or facing potential data breaches. Regarding privacy control, Telegram seems to have the upper hand over the competitors like WhatsApp and Signal. Let’s take a look:

1. Secret Chats:

Secret Chats provide an added layer of security to your sensitive conversations by making them end-to-end encrypted. As a result, no third party, including Telegram, has access to your chats. Once the secret chat is enabled, you can choose a self-destruct timer, and your chats will disappear without leaving any trace on the Telegram server. Additionally, messages from secret chats can’t be forwarded conventionally, and functions like screenshots are also disabled.

2. Chat Lock:

You can protect your conversations with a PIN or fingerprint lock. Once enabled, nobody can access your Telegram without providing correct identification. It’s a handy feature to have if you are someone who tends to leave your phone unlocked.

3. Disappearing Photos and Videos:

Telegram was among the first messaging apps to introduce disappearing media features. It allows you to determine the duration for which the recipient can access the media you send.

Upon the lapse of the set timeframe, the photos or videos will disappear from the chat and the Telegram servers. Additionally, the receiving party can’t use a screenshot or screen recorder to capture the media you sent.

The disappearing feature will be your favorite if you frequently share confidential images and business-related media.

4. Two-step Verification:

Also known as two-factor authentication, this feature allows you to set a password to enhance the protection of your account. Each time you access your account from a new device, you must enter the password and the verification code you get through the text message.

In the event of device theft, this will protect your Telegram account from unauthorized access, safeguarding your media, chats, and other sensitive information.

5. Delete Messages for Both Parties:

It’s one of the most unique features of Telegram, where you can erase the sent messages from your device and the recipient’s device. Users can selectively remove the messages they don’t want to appear on the recipient’s device and delete them individually or wipe out the entire conversation for both parties and from Telegram servers.

6. Anonymous Usage:

A feature I particularly appreciate about Telegram is connecting with others without exposing your phone number. Yes, it has its drawbacks, but from a genuine user’s point of view, it’s a remarkable privacy feature that shields your identity and allows you to communicate without revealing your personal information.

Furthermore, users can decide whom to share their phone numbers with. All it takes is to establish a username and hide your phone number via the privacy settings.

7. Control Your Visibility:

Telegram gives users a multitude of privacy options to dictate their online presence. You can hide your last seen and online status like WhatsApp, but Telegram takes it further. It allows you to hide these statuses from specific contacts selectively. You can customize your privacy on the platform by regulating who can view your bio, profile image, and groups/channels.

Lastly, users can block calls and voice messages from specific people on the contact list. No other messaging apps provide this level of privacy control.

8. Auto-Deletion of Texts:

Lastly, You can set a timer for messages in the regular chat to automatically disappear after a designated time. Not only it allows you to maintain a clutter-free chat history but it also safeguards sensitive information in case you forget to delete it.

Is Telegram Safer than WhatsApp?

Both platforms offer nearly similar privacy policies regarding data collection and user protection. While WhatsApp provides end-to-end encryption by default, Telegram seems to be inching ahead regarding privacy controls given to users.

Here is a short comparison:

	TELEGRAM	WHATSAPP
Data Collection	Minimal data for account setup: IP address, device details, contact list, and user ID	More comprehensive data collection: Phone number, contacts, usage patterns, and status updates
End-to-End Encryption	Available for Secret Chats	Applied by default for all chats
Cloud Data Storage	Uses MTProto protocol and distributed network for cloud storage	Employs server-client encryption for cloud storage
Metadata Encryption	Not encrypted	Details not available
Privacy Controls	Customizable settings for visibility, contact access, and more	Offers limited options to manage privacy settings
Anonymous Usage	Allows signup without revealing the phone number	Requires phone number for signup
Security Audits	Open-source code, third-party security audits	Details not available
Two-Step Verification	Available for added security	Offers two-step verification for accounts
Deletion of Messages	Delete for both parties, self-destructive messages	Provides the option to delete messages
Data Sharing	Claims not to share data with third parties	Shares data with parent company Meta for business purposes

Is Telegram private?

On the surface, Telegram seems to be doing a lot more to protect user data and privacy than its competitors. But is it safe to use? Over the years, the company has faced some serious privacy and data breach issues.

Although no social media platform is 100% immune to online threats and security issues, considering the company’s claims, we could hope better from Telegram. Here are some notable Telegram privacy issues:

1. End-to-End encryption is not for standard chats and group chats:

The company advertises its encryption methods as its top privacy feature. However, it’s crucial to note that it’s not applicable to default one-on-one chats. You must activate the Secret Chat feature to enjoy a fully secure exchange.

It means that third parties or Telegram can access regular chat messages if necessary. However, Telegram maintains that its standard MTProto encryption is strong enough to secure the texts in the cloud.

But this cloud-based storage allows you to access your messages across the devices, compromising your control over the shared information.

Similarly, End-to-end encryption isn’t applicable in group chats, and considering the extensive number of people allowed in groups can, it can be a major security threat to one’s privacy.

2. Cloud storage is not 100% secure:

Telegram employs its proprietary MTProto encryption to secure data stored in the cloud. Over time, major vulnerabilities have been reported within this protocol which could significantly compromise users’ privacy.

While Telegram continually updates and introduces essential alterations to enhance cloud storage security against potential attackers, it can’t be deemed 100% foolproof.

3. Telegram is a magnet for scammers:

Telegram provides its APIs to third-party developers to create bots, stickers, etc, for the platform. Unfortunately, this openness has paved the way for scammers to manipulate the vast user communities within Telegram.

An individual can effortlessly forge a bot while keeping their true identity concealed, which makes it very difficult for a common user to recognize dangerous ones.

These bots might mimic legitimate websites or services and trick users into fraudulent activities like giveaways, contests, and investments. Additionally, they can share explicit content on the platform, which might not be suitable for all users.

Also, some bots are created by inexperienced developers who might inadvertently neglect crucial safety precautions. This oversight could lead to severe data breaches and leaks, exposing sensitive user information to unintended parties.

4. The platform has been exploited:

One of the more serious concerns regarding Telegram is that various political groups and militant organizations are using it to spread propaganda and negativity.

Due to lenient security on Telegram groups and communities, it has become very easy to create private and public channels without disclosing identity.

As a result, these channels and groups have been widely used to run disinformation campaigns, fabricated narratives, amenity between ethnic groups, and influence public opinion.

Extremists group also use Telegram to recruit adherents and orchestrate activities through private channels, which makes it difficult for security agencies to track them down.

At a time when fake news spreads faster than the speed of light, Telegram channels with such a high user base can be a very good tool for organizations to exploit people through misleading claims and inciting violence. Especially in countries with strict censorship laws, Telegram has been abused as a tool to communicate beyond the government’s control.

5. Illegal Activities and Pornography:

Moreover, Illegal activities, such as selling drugs, counterfeit goods, banned products, and even human trafficking, have also found a platform on Telegram.

The platform’s unique encrypted nature, along with bots, has allowed people to create private spaces where all undercover transactions and discussions occur. Not only it’s harmful for common users, but also poses a stiff challenge for law enforcement agencies in monitoring and fighting these activities.

Telegram Safety Concerns:

Although Telegram has always been at the forefront of protecting user data and privacy, concerns have been raised about its approach:

In 2013, a Russian programming site Habr identified a safety leak in the initial version of the Telegram encryption protocol – MTProto. This flaw could let an attacker carry out a man-in-the-middle attack, intercepting communication and concealing changes in encryption keys.
In February 2014, the German Consumer Organization voiced concerns about Telegram’s compulsory sharing of contact data with its servers and the absence of legal information or contact details on the platform’s website.
In April 2016, the accounts of multiple Russian opposition leaders were compromised through the interception of SMS login authorization. The Electronic Frontier Foundation noted that Telegram lacked default end-to-end encryption and expressed concerns about the security of its non-standard MTProto encryption protocol.
In August 2016, Reuters disclosed that Iranian cybercriminals infiltrated over a dozen Telegram accounts and got access to more than 15 million Iranian phone numbers and user IDs.
During an explosive interview in June 2017, Durov alleged that American intelligence agencies attempted to bribe Telegram’s developers into compromising its encryption.
In June 2019, Leaked The Intercept exposed telegram messages between Brazilian Minister of Justice Sérgio Moro and federal prosecutors. Telegram stated that it resulted from a malware attack or the user didn’t opt for two-step verification.
In December 2019, several Russian entrepreneurs’ accounts were hacked by bypassing SMS-based single-factor authentication.
In September 2021, a Russian researcher shared information regarding a glitch with the self-destruct feature, which allowed users to retrieve deleted photos from their devices.
Many governments, including China, Brazil, Pakistan, and Iran have banned Telegram.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is Telegram encrypted?

Telegram offers end-to-end encryption, ensuring your messages remain private and secure. However, this feature is unavailable by default and applies only to Secret Chats.