Telegram
Telegram is an open source instant messaging (IM) app created in 2013 by Pavel Durov and Nikolai Durov. The company was originally founded on the British Virgin Islands and has an LLC in Dubai since 2017.
| Basic Information | |
|---|---|
| Release Year | 2013 |
| Product Type | Software, Messaging Client |
| In Production | Yes |
| Official Website | https://telegram.org/ |
Consumer impact summary edit
User Privacy edit
Telegram does not sell user data to advertise to its clients, and only stores the data needed to moderate and keep its messaging client "secure and feature-rich"[1].
The messages shared are not end to end encrypted, unless they are Secret Chats (not enabled by default) and these are not stored in their servers. Normal messages are not end to end encrypted, being instead encrypted from the user's device to the servers (client-server encryption). The latter are stored in Telegram's servers and can be shared with authorities, governments and/or accessed by anyone with potential access to the servers. This allows the messaging client to be accessed in multiple platforms on the same account.
This message client is cross-platform, and available in a vast amount of platforms, such as iOS, Android, Windows, macOS and Linux, as well as being available as a web client and other custom clients.
Business Model edit
Telegram makes its money, fundamentally, from a subscription service called Telegram Premium. This an optional service that will allow you to have enjoy extra features that are pay walled behind this subscription, such as larger uploads, faster download speed and some premium stickers and emojis. No privacy related features are locked behind this subscription.
Market Control edit
Telegram has a huge market in Russia, India and Brazil. In Russia, 51% of users use Telegram[2] and in India, 48% of the population uses Telegram[3]. In the USA, only 9% uses this platform.
In a global view, Telegram is the 4th most popular mobile messaging client as of 2024, with 950 million users[4], ahead of Snapchat and just behind Facebook Messenger.
Despite growing consistently in clients, Telegram now faces scrutiny in India and a potential ban, which would very negatively affect its user numbers.[5]
Incidents edit
This messaging client has multiple incidents of selling data, and history of being a hub for bad actors, a gateway to share CSAM, and having drug trafficking and terrorism on its platform.
This is a list of all consumer protection incidents related to this product. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the Telegram category.
Sudden change of stance on sharing data when pressured (2024) edit
Telegram was known for not selling information, and having a pretty tight fist on its clients data and information, even towards the authorities.[6] After Pavel Durov's arrest in France in 2024, Telegram started sharing user data, IP addresses, and phone numbers more freely to the authorities for criminal investigations, and to governments that requested such data.
See also edit
References edit
- ↑ "Telegram Privacy Policy". Telegram Privacy Policy. Retrieved 23 Aug 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "The audience of Internet users, social networks, messengers and VPN services". Levada-Center. 14 Jun 2024. Retrieved 23 Aug 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Messenger usage by brand". Statista.
- ↑ Ceci, Laura (21 Feb 2025). "Most popular global mobile messenger apps as of February 2025, based on number of monthly active users". Statista. Retrieved 23 Aug 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Telegram Ban Update - Is Telegram Banned in India?". SG Analytics. 2024-08-29. Archived from the original on 2025-05-13. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
- ↑ Duffy, Clare (23 Sep 2024). "After CEO's arrest, Telegram says it will now turn some bad actors' data over to law enforcement". CNN. Retrieved 23 Aug 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)