Is Telegram safe to use? What you need to know. | IPVanish (2024)

The modern smartphone has advanced far beyond making calls. It now offers new ways to connect with friends, family, and business partners through a multitude of direct messaging platforms. One of the most popular messaging services is Telegram for its speed and cross-platform integration. But is Telegram safe to use? The app has a dense history with the Russian government, concerns over misinformation and nefarious usage, and mounting legal issues. Despite its supposed protective features, you may be surprised by the risks your data could face while using it.

What is Telegram?

Telegram is a messaging service that allows users to communicate with their contacts without having to provide a phone number. It was released around the time Facebook (now Meta) acquired WhatsApp, which is still the leading messaging platform on the market (with billions of downloads). Telegram has apps available for every major operating system, making synchronization easier for those who have devices of different brands.

One of its most notable features is a streamlined interface that mimics other instant messaging services. This means the learning curve for new users is generally small, with the bonus of theme and aesthetic customization. It is powerful and secure, offering encrypted chats and allowing groups of up to 200,000 people at once.

Telegram prides itself on security, claiming to have more integrity than Meta, but is Telegram safe?

A brief history of Telegram

Telegram was developed by Pavel Durov, who was dubbed the“Mark Zuckerburg of Russia”for the app’s widespread success. While working on his first project in 2006, VKontakte (a social networking site), Durov started to experience pressure from the Kremlin to release certain user data. Durov refused. In fact, in 2014, he sold his shares in VKontakte and fled the country, citing his fear of government surveillance and denouncing new shareholder relationships.

Launched in 2013, Telegram faced ongoing pressure from the Russian government to provide user data for political purposes from the outset, even after its founder, Pavel Durov, relocated to Dubai and the company established its headquarters in London. Durov’s refusal to comply with these demands led to a ban on Telegram in Russia in 2018. However, the ban was lifted in 2020 after Telegram agreed to cooperate with Russian authorities in investigations related to terrorism.

This ban was also ineffective; Telegram was still the main source of news for Russian oppositionists despite firewalls put up by Roskomnadzor (Russia’s Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media). It also didn’t stop the spread of propaganda. As a result, Telegram banned Russian state media on the platform in 2022.

Where does Telegram stand today?

Telegram is reported to have a user base of over 950 million, an increase of over 150 million from July 2023. So, despite the issues and recent bans faced by the app, its popularity is still strong. And Telegram is popular around the world for many different reasons. As stated earlier, it offers a lot of flexibility and is known as the fastest messaging service of any on the market. And it has expanded far beyond its initial utility; Telegram now has its own in-app browser and mini app store. This growth has seen Telegram evolve from a messaging app to its own social media platform.

As Telegram’s popularity continues to soar, so too does its appeal to those with potentially malicious intentions. Originally designed as a somewhat simple messaging platform, it has now evolved into a multifaceted tool—unfortunately, one that is increasingly exploited by black market dealers, conspiracy theorists, and extremists. Telegram has become a hub for illegal transactions, where the buying and selling of contraband, from illicit drugs to counterfeit goods, occur regularly. Additionally, Telegram has facilitated the rapid spread of misinformation on a widespread scale, potentially undermining public trust in institutions. Its large group chats and channels have also been used to organize riots, posing challenges to maintaining public order.

Pavel Durov’s arrest in France

Pavel Durov himself has expressed concerns over unverified information and “ethnic hatred” spreading rampantly throughout the Telegram atmosphere; on August 25, 2024, Durov was arrested in France. The arrest warrant was issued by OFMIN, a recently formed agency tasked with preventing violence against minors.

Durov reportedly faces allegations of neglecting to moderate Telegram and refusing to cooperate with police requests. His arrest is the result of an investigation into Telegram’s failure to root out illegal activity on the app, including drug trafficking, the promotion of terrorism, and fraud. It remains to be seen what will become of this legal situation and its impact on Telegram as a platform in France, Europe, and worldwide. Shortly after Durov’s arrest, Telegram released a statement claiming Durov had “nothing to hide” and that it was “absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform.”

Is Telegram safe to use?

Given the current legal situation, it’s reasonable to ask if Telegram is safe to use. While we don’t yet know how Pavel Durov’s arrest will shape the future of Telegram, we do have information about Telegram’s track record up to this point, which helps assess the relative safety of the app, or lack thereof.

Encryption and security concerns

Telegram uses buzzwords like “encryption” in their marketing to entice users, but in reality, these safety features are not set by default. Users must enable encryption settings within the app to be protected, and even then, this encryption is not end-to-end (E2EE). The app only offers E2EE (the leading standard of encryption tech) in secret chats, but the user must create these chats manually. This means that security issues hinge on human error, like forgetting to turn these features on. It also reinforces the idea that Telegram views itself as more of a social network than a privacy tool. For comparison, competitors like Signal and WhatsApp automatically apply E2EE on all chats.

See also: Plaintext and ciphertext: how is it used in tech?

Digital rights groups’ critiques

Digital rights groups like Access Now have raised concerns about Telegram’s security practices, particularly regarding its encryption implementation. Cryptology experts have also denounced Telegram’s encryption method, saying that it is untested and unsecured. Most interactions on the app outside of secret chats do not use E2EE, meaning Telegram itself may have stored information and chat logs that could be accessible to insiders or, in some cases, to governments. This lack of transparency around their policies and practices is troubling for high-risk users who rely on secure communication channels. Digital rights groups have also outlined the need for Telegram to establish workable support mechanisms for these high-risk users.

Transparency and trust issues

In 2022, Telegram reportedly turned over user data to German authorities after they had already used a program called Bundestrojaner to hack the app and spy on citizens. This allowed them to arrest a group of criminals using an unencrypted group chat to plan a hate crime. While Telegram reminded its users that its data centers are globally distributed and protected, the transfer of secure user data to a foreign authority more than once is a significant concern. Digital rights groups have criticized Telegram for this lack of transparency and its potential implications for users who need to communicate securely.

Alternatives to Telegram: are they any better?

Issues for high-risk users

Politicians and marginalized groups need to be extra cautious when using Telegram. To public knowledge, no encrypted chats have ever been officially compromised on Telegram, but as mentioned, any slip-ups could be documented and stored. Also, in 2022, Telegram introduced a premium plan that unlocked perks for $5 per month. This may not be worth it for people who aren’t willing to pay for features that were once free, especially from a company that prides itself on being open-source.

Evaluating other messaging apps

Alternatives to Telegram aren’t much better. Meta is known for privacy scandals and for collecting user data. Arguably, a major reason Meta acquired WhatsApp in the first place was to eliminate its main competition to Facebook Messenger, the second-most used IM service. Meta relies on user engagement to make money. Keep in mind that although WhatsApp has E2EE on chats, it may still collect data on purchase history, advertising, and device ID.

Signal is a widely respected encrypted messaging service that offers end-to-end encryption (E2EE) on all chats by default, meaning that only the communicating users can read the messages. Signal also has a strong privacy policy, as it doesn’t collect any user data linked to your identity, making it a popular choice for those who prioritize security.

However, it’s essential to be aware of the risks. In the United States, key disclosure laws allow the government to subpoena encryption keys from any company, including Signal, for investigative purposes. Although Signal has a minimal data retention policy and cannot access the content of your communications, the potential for government access to encryption keys without the company being allowed to notify users remains a concern.

Telegram and government regulation

The risk of government bans

Due to its nature, Telegram can also be a target for some governments. For example, in early 2024, Spain’s highest court ordered the suspension of Telegram’s services in the country due to rampant copyright infringement on the app.

Despite their complex relationship with Telegram overall, digital rights groups have expressed concern over such blanket bans, noting that blocking access to Telegram can hinder the ability of vulnerable and high-risk individuals to communicate securely. The reversal of Spain’s Telegram ban highlighted the importance of maintaining access to secure communication platforms, but it also underscored the precarious position that Telegram occupies globally. As governments continue to grapple with the challenges posed by encrypted messaging services, the risk of future bans in other countries remains a real possibility, especially after Durov’s arrest in France.

Final thoughts on Telegram’s safety

So, is Telegram safe? The truth isn’t black and white. It may be safer for the average user than some other messaging services, especially when E2EE is enabled. It’s also safer than using (mostly) unencrypted services with messaging functions like Skype, Snapchat, Instagram, and Discord. The fact that Telegram is popular also makes it more attractive as the scope of your network is expanded. However, for a messaging service that claims to care about safety, it’s imperative to question why safety-specific features aren’t the default and the larger implications of those choices. It’s also worth noting thatalternatives may be worth considering given Telegram’s uncertain future and digital rights groups’ general issues with the platform.

Always check your settings to ensure that any available protection methods are in place before you use a service. For extra privacy online, use a VPN to encrypt your entire internet connection and help avoid any potential lapses in security.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do hackers use Telegram?

Unfortunately, yes. This isn’t a unique issue to Telegram, as hackers target vulnerabilities within all popular messaging apps. Regarding Telegram specifically, you should use the app cautiously and tinker with its settings to create the most secure conditions possible for communication within the app.

What do people use Telegram for?

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.

Why do people use Telegram instead of texting?

Telegram is a popular alternative to traditional texting due to its availability across multiple operating systems. This allows iPhone and Android users to text each other easily, for example, which isn’t possible using each type of device’s native text messaging app.