Client Challenge
On 30 March 2020, an Elasticsearch database holding 42 million records containing user IDs and phone numbers of Iranian users was exposed online without a password. They criticized how, unless modified first, the default general security model stores all contacts, messages and media together with their decryption keys on its servers continuously; and that it does not enable end-to-end encryption for messages by default. Along with the shared photographs, anonymous accounts shared the women’s private information, including phone numbers and social media profiles, encouraging members of the group to contact the women and ask for sexual favors.
- In today’s multi-device world, having a reliable web-based client is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity.
- The attack relied on people downloading a malware-infected file from any source, at which point it would replace Telegram files on the device and ‘clone’ session data.
- In March 2025, Pavel Durov announced that Telegram surpassed 1 billion monthly active users.
- Following the launch of Stars, Telegram released several updates to their functionality, such as allowing Stars to be used to unlock media in channels or to buy gifts for other users.
- On 24 March 2014, Telegram announced that it had reached 35 million monthly users and 15 million daily active users.
How to Use Telegram Web Login for Multiple Accounts with DICloak
Similar to other social platforms, Telegram users can post stories, a type of short-form content. In June 2021, an update introduced a new bot menu where users can browse and send commands while in a chat with a bot. Bots are also commonly used for businesses to communicate with customers as the bot APIs integrate with communication platforms so that Telegram messages can be sent and received in an omnichannelinbox. Certain approved bots are also able to integrate into the attachment menu, making them accessible in any chat. Auto download settings can also be applied based on chat type such as group, channel or private. Similarly, users can hide their phone number and profile photo from people based on categories such as Non-Contacts or by adding exceptions.
Features
Specific users can be tagged in the group by adding @username to a message, where “username” is that particular user’s username. Ownership of channels and groups can be transferred to one of the admins if the owner wishes to give up their rights. They support flexible admin rights and can use bots for moderation to prevent spam and unwanted activity. Any user can also send a message to a special “Saved Messages” chat as a form of bookmarking them.
App support
Following the launch of Stars, Telegram released several updates to their functionality, such as allowing Stars to be used to unlock media in channels or to buy gifts for other users. In late 2020, Durov announced that the company was working on its own ad platform, and would integrate non-targeted ads in public one-to-many channels, that already were selling and displaying ads in the form of regular messages. Such bots are used, among other things, to emulate and play old games in the app and inform users about vaccine availability for COVID-19. For users who signed in from the European Economic Area (EEA) or United Kingdom, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) are supported by storing data only on servers in the Netherlands, and designating a London-based company as their responsible data controller. Premium users have access to extra stickers, emoji, reactions, and customization features like a special badge and the ability to change the look of their messages in chats.
- Ever found yourself needing access to your Telegram account while your phone’s battery is dead or out of reach?
- Similarly, groups and channels can have content protection enabled, which prevents screenshots, forwarding and downloading of media.
- Specific limited-edition gifts can be upgraded to a collectible version, unlocking a random appearance and other attributes.
- The messages were considered vulgar, racist, and homophobic, with members of the chat discussing how they would use the media to target potential political opponents.
- In July 2023, Telegram surpassed 800 million monthly active users, later reaching 900 million in March 2024 and 950 million in July 2024.
Once launched, a group voice chat will remain active and open to all group members until an admin specifically closes it. In December 2019, Bloomberg News moved their messenger-based newsletter service from WhatsApp to Telegram after the former banned bulk and automated messaging. Channels offer detailed statistics on view counts, user growth and interactions, also visible only to admins. Posting in the channel is anonymous, though admins can choose to add signatures to their posts. Secret Chats support perfect forward secrecy and switch encryption keys after a key has been used 100 times or a week has passed.
Stickers, emoji, reactions and effects
An August 2024 BBC investigation found that Telegram had not responded to requests to join the US–based National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) or the UK–based Internet Watch Foundation, both nonprofit NGOs. North Macedonia President Stevo Pendarovski and Prime Minister Zoran Zaev demanded an immediate response from Telegram and threatened to completely restrict access to the app in the country if no action was taken. British far-right publication TR.news, following multiple deplatformings, launched a Telegram channel to spread its posts and the Institute for Strategic Dialogue reported that Irish far-right groups grew substantially between 2019 and 2020.
Similar apps
This enables the building of clients for non-traditional platforms like KaiOS (supported by Telekram), or S30+/Mocor Feature phones (still in development). The protocol was developed by Nikolai Durov and other developers at Telegram and, as of version 2.0, is based on 256-bit symmetric AES encryption, 2048-bit RSA encryption and Diffie–Hellman key exchange. Telegram stated that it does not have access to the data, while the platform will share the information only with the authorized recipient. When an online service requires such identification documents and verification, it forwards the information to the platform with the user’s permission. It asks users to upload their own official documents such as passport, identity card, driver license, etc. It features a website widget that could be embedded into websites, allowing users to sign into a third party website with their Telegram account.
Groups and channels
The optional paid subscription gives users increased limits in the app, such as larger file uploads, faster download speeds, unlimited voice message transcription, as well as numerous other Kiekka Casino increases such as the number of pinned chats and folders. While any user can upload custom emoji to the platform, the use of custom emoji in chats is only available to users with Telegram Premium. In October 2024, Telegram added increased messaging limits for bots, allowing bots to send up to 1000 messages per second to their users. In the same menu, users can restrict the circle of people who can call them or invite them to groups and channels, while Premium users also have the option to restrict who can send them text and voice messages. In channels, users can start a livestream, that is able to integrate with third-party apps such as OBS Studio and XSplit.
Throughout 2020, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps used groups and channels to dox Iraqi and Iranian citizens, while sharing propagandistic posts on the platform. Following efforts by Telegram to remove ISIS-related content from the platform, the terrorist organization reportedly moved its recruitment groups to the dark web, with US officials citing the app’s purging of terrorist content as particularly effective at deplatforming ISIS. In September 2024, Telegram announced that it would begin to hand over users’ IP addresses and phone numbers to authorities who have search warrants or other valid legal requests. Durov planned to power TON with the existing Telegram user base, and turn it into the largest blockchain and a platform for apps and services akin to a decentralized WeChat, Google Play, and App Store. Telegram has stated that the company will never serve advertisements in private chats. Telegram also offers an API that allows developers to create bots, which are accounts controlled by programs.
