As you may have heard, we have recently launched encrypted voice calls for Telegram. They are super-easy to use and improve themselves over time using machine learning.
Personally, I rarely make voice calls. When I lived in Russia, I developed the habit of NEVER speaking over the phone, as every conversation was being recorded by corrupt law enforcement agencies. This habit stayed with me even after I left Russia a few years ago. I don't expect agencies in other countries to have more respect for privacy than their Russian counterparts. In my opinion, they're the same everywhere, some are just better at marketing.
My phone habits may change now that I use secure calls via Telegram to communicate with my team and family members. Unfortunately, not everyone in the world will be able to enjoy the same.
In countries like Saudi Arabia, Telegram traffic is throttled in order to discourage usage. In others, like China and Oman, it's blocked completely. In Iran, where Telegram has some 40 million active users, Telegram voice calls have been completely blocked by the country's internet providers and mobile operators following an order from the judiciary (more about this here – http://telegra.ph/Telegram-Calls-in-Iran-NEWS).
Telegram has historically had problems with regulators in some parts of the world because, unlike other services, we consistently defended our users' privacy and have never made any deals with governments. In three and a half years of existence to date, Telegram disclosed exactly zero bytes of users' data to any third-party.
Services like WhatsApp, on the other hand, are not blocked in China, Saudi Arabia, Iran, or other countries with a history of censorship. This is the case because WhatsApp (and its parent company Facebook) are eager to trade user trust for an increased market share. The claim that “WhatsApp and third parties can’t read or listen to your WhatsApp messages and calls” – is completely false. WhatsApp actually can read and listen in to your calls and messages, as they are able to invisibly change the encryption keys for 99.99% of their users (more about this backdoor-disguised-as-a-feature here – http://telegra.ph/whatsapp-backdoor-01-16). So much for "End-to-End Encryption".
Moreover, third parties like Google or Apple have direct access to most of WhatsApp's users' chat history. This is because WhatsApp tricked the majority of users into allowing third party backups. And the sharing doesn't stop with just these third parties. Apple and Google in turn have to deal with data requests from all the countries they have business in, and so the data flows.
By claiming that they are secure, our competitors may be involved in the single largest case of consumer fraud in human history.
By comparison, Telegram relies on end-to-end encryption assisted by a built-in encrypted and distributed cloud for messages and media. The relevant decryption keys are split into parts and are spread across different jurisdictions. This structure makes your cloud data a hundred times more protected and secure than when it is stored by Google, Facebook, or Apple.
No wonder governments and regulators are unhappy with Telegram. Well, let them block us as much as they want. We won't change our principles or betray our users. I know it’s not great to have Telegram (or parts of it) restricted in your country. But sometimes it’s better to stop using a communication service entirely than to keep using it with misplaced trust in its security.
It's why I avoided voice calls for years, in Russia and beyond. It's also why I'm coming back to them now, on Telegram.
FAQs
How safe is Telegram? Telegram is a popular messaging app that is widely recognized as a safe channel for online communications. The app creates an encrypted tunnel for messages in transit, which lowers the chances of unauthorized interceptions. Your messages stay encrypted even when they reach Telegram's servers.
Who owns Telegram? ›
Who is the owner of Telegram? Pavel Durov founded Telegram in 2013 and effectively still owns the entire company.
How does Telegram make money? ›
Telegram usually makes money from its founders, which is a significant Telegram income source. Telegram also started offering a variety of in-app purchases, such as premium stickers and emoji packs. These purchases generate revenue for Telegram through the App Store and Google Play Store.
What is the Telegram app? ›
FAST: Telegram is the fastest messaging app on the market, connecting people via a unique, distributed network of data centers around the globe. SYNCED: You can access your messages from all your phones, tablets and computers at once. Telegram apps are standalone, so you don't need to keep your phone connected.
Can police track Telegram messages? ›
Can Telegram be traced? In general, Telegram messages can't be traced if the police or other authorities don't have direct access to the app on a user's phone. However, Telegram stores some of the users' data on its servers for up to 12 months, so some of your information might be compromised due to a security breach.
Why would someone use Telegram? ›
Telegram is an instant messaging app; people use it to communicate with others. Telegram is popular because it doesn't require a phone number for use. Some people seek out Telegram for its custom security settings, including Secret Chats. However, it's important to note this feature is not enabled by default.
Is Telegram a Russian owned app? ›
Recent News. Telegram, cloud-based messaging app owned by Russian entrepreneurs Pavel and Nikolai Durov. Telegram users can exchange text messages, hold voice calls, share files, join groups of up to 200,000 members, and subscribe to public broadcast channels.
Does Telegram belong to Google? ›
No Telegram is not own by Google, It is owned by the same two people who founded the company in Russia back in 2013, Pavel Durov and his brother Nikolai. Pavel is also the company's CEO.
Who uses Telegram the most? ›
With 104.04 million downloads, India is the country with the most Telegram users.
Why is Telegram popular? ›
Telegram is a widely used instant messaging app that has gained popularity for its focus on privacy and security. Telegram's end-to-end encryption, customizable themes, and media-sharing capabilities make it a popular choice for personal and professional communication.
Comparing the customer bases of Telegram and Messenger, we can see that Telegram has 43,304 customer(s), while Messenger has 1,655 customer(s). In the Instant Messaging category, with 43,304 customer(s) Telegram stands at 1st place by ranking, while Messenger with 1,655 customer(s), is at the 8th place.
Who funds Telegram? ›
Telegram is funded by 7 investors. Pavel Durov and Mubadala are the most recent investors.
Is Telegram good or bad? ›
Telegram is safe, especially if you use it with the more stringent privacy settings. For maximum security while using Telegram, take the following measures: Always use Secret Chats to ensure messages are end-to-end encrypted.
Can people see my phone number on Telegram? ›
No. Neither party will see another's phone number (unless this is permitted by your privacy settings). This is similar to the case when you message a person who you've met in a Telegram group.
What do guys use Telegram for? ›
While Telegram is primarily a messaging app designed for privacy and secure communication, it's no secret that people have found ways to use it for dating. The app's features, like secret chats and self-destructing messages, make it appealing for those looking to keep their conversations private.
How do I know a scammer on Telegram? ›
Telegram bot scams exhibit the typical warning signs of a phishing scam, including:
- A false sense of urgency. Scammers claim your account has been compromised, or some error is putting you at risk.
- Spoofed or strange phone numbers. ...
- Grammatical and spelling errors. ...
- Requests for sensitive information.
Cons of Telegram
- Non-Default End-to-End Encryption: Regular chats do not use end-to-end encryption by default.
- Potentially Complex for New Users: Its wide range of features can be overwhelming for new users.
- Lesser User Base: Telegram has a smaller user base compared to WhatsApp, which might limit your contact reach.
What makes Telegram unique is its focus on privacy, encryption, and an open-source API. There are countless unofficial clients to go along with the official Telegram apps and web interface. It also allows multiple devices to use the same account (verified by SMS), and multiple accounts on the same device.
Can people on Telegram see your phone number? ›
No. Neither party will see another's phone number (unless this is permitted by your privacy settings). This is similar to the case when you message a person who you've met in a Telegram group.
