Understanding the nature extent and implications

[samiaseo222]

Telegram stands out due to its claim of being a secure and privacy-respecting alternative to mainstream apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Signal. However, despite its privacy-forward reputation, Telegram does collect certain types of user data. of Telegram’s data collection practices requires a thorough exploration of its architecture, terms of service, privacy policy, and real-world behavior. Telegram, founded by Pavel Durov, is known for its emphasis on freedom of expression, anti-censorship stance, and cloud-based infrastructure. Unlike end-to-end encrypted services like Signal, Telegram uses a hybrid encryption model. Most chats on Telegram are cloud-based and stored on its servers, while only “Secret Chats” are fully end-to-end encrypted and confined to the device. This architectural choice, while enhancing usability, affects how and what data Telegram collects.

At its core, Telegram collects minimal account-related iran telegram data data compared to its competitors. When a user signs up, the app requires a phone number for verification. This number is tied to the user’s Telegram account and is considered essential for identity management. The platform does not require users to provide their name, email address, or profile picture—these are optional. However, because the account is tied to a mobile number, Telegram inherently collects and stores this information along with the associated device data and IP address. Telegram also logs metadata associated with user interactions. Metadata includes information like timestamps of messages, sender and receiver identifiers, and IP addresses.

Although Telegram claims that it does not link IP addresses or phone numbers to user messages unless under specific legal circumstances, the fact remains that this data is stored on its servers. According to its privacy policy, Telegram can store users’ IP addresses and metadata for up to 12 months to prevent spam, abuse, and to comply with legal requests. This contrasts with Signal, which goes to great lengths to avoid storing such data. In terms of message content, Telegram differentiates between regular cloud chats and Secret Chats. Messages in regular chats and groups are stored on Telegram’s servers in an encrypted format.