Launched in 2013, Telegram has steadily grown into one of the most prominent messaging platforms globally, amassing over 700 million monthly active users as of 2024. Known for its speed, cloud-based convenience, and wide feature-set — including groups, channels, bots, and end-to-end encrypted chats — Telegram is often seen as a secure alternative to mainstream apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. But how safe is Telegram really? This article explores the security architecture of Telegram and breaks down what users should know about their privacy on the platform.
TL;DR
While Telegram offers a robust set of security features such as Cloud Chats encryption and Secret Chats with end-to-end encryption, it does not make end-to-end encryption the default for all chats. This makes it less secure in certain scenarios compared to competitors that do. Despite its unique infrastructure and self-built MTProto protocol, Telegram has faced criticism from parts of the cybersecurity community regarding transparency and privacy controls. Users who require high levels of confidentiality should approach Telegram carefully and understand how to use its advanced privacy settings effectively.
Telegram’s Core Security Features
Telegram offers several noteworthy features that aim to protect user data and privacy. These include:
- Secret Chats: Optional chats that enable full end-to-end encryption.
- Cloud Chats: Conversations stored on Telegram’s servers with server-client encryption.
- Two-Step Verification: Added layer of security using a password for account access.
- Self-Destruct Timers: Timed deletion of messages in Secret Chats.
- Passcode Lock: Prevents unauthorized access to the Telegram mobile app.
Each of these features serves a specific purpose in Telegram’s security ecosystem, with varying implications for how personal data is handled.
Secret Chats Explained
Secret Chats are Telegram’s most secure communication mode. These chats utilize end-to-end encryption, meaning only the sender and recipient can view the message content. Furthermore, Secret Chats offer additional capabilities such as:
- Message forwarding restrictions
- Notifications for screenshots
- Self-destruct timers for automatic deletion of messages
However, this mode of messaging must be manually activated by the user, which many overlook. By default, most Telegram chats do not provide this level of security.
Cloud Chats: A Trade-Off Between Convenience and Security
Telegram’s regular chat system — referred to as Cloud Chats — is both a strength and a weakness.
Security-wise: Cloud Chats are encrypted but only partially. They are encrypted in transit and at rest but are technically accessible to Telegram’s servers, which hold the encryption keys.
Convenience-wise: Because messages are stored in the cloud, users can access their chats from any device. This also enables large file transfers and persistent storage across platforms.
This setup is useful, but from a privacy perspective, it introduces vulnerabilities. Unlike Signal or WhatsApp (which default to end-to-end encryption), Telegram’s standard chats do not guarantee that only intended recipients can read messages.
The MTProto Protocol: Custom But Controversial
Telegram uses a custom-built protocol called MTProto for message encryption. This proprietary protocol differentiates Telegram from other messaging platforms that use widely reviewed and open encryption standards.
The MTProto protocol is designed for speed and multi-device synchronization but has been scrutinized by experts who argue that using closed, non-standard encryption methods can open the door to potential vulnerabilities.
Although Telegram has offered bounties to anyone who can break its encryption, this has not completely quelled concerns in the cybersecurity community. Transparency is central to trust, and critics argue that Telegram’s approach falls short when compared to open-source encryption protocols like the Signal Protocol used by WhatsApp and Signal itself.
Two-Step Verification and Account Protection
Telegram accounts are linked to a user’s phone number, which can be a security concern if your SIM card is cloned or stolen. To mitigate this, Telegram offers Two-Step Verification.
This feature allows users to set an independent password. Even if someone gets access to your SMS verification code, the attacker would still need your chosen password to access the account.
Despite this, Telegram does not support authentication apps like Google Authenticator or backup codes, which many consider a security standard today.
Data Storage and Server Location
Telegram stores user data on distributed servers located across multiple jurisdictions. This distributed architecture is designed to prevent any single government or entity from easily gaining access to user information.
According to Telegram, even company staff cannot access user data without passing through legal and technical layers of authorization. However, because messages in Cloud Chats are stored on servers, they might still be compelled to hand over data if legally required, depending on the region.
Account Privacy and Personal Information
Telegram provides several settings to control visibility of personal information such as:
- Last Seen
- Profile Photos
- Phone Numbers
Users can choose who sees this information — everyone, contacts only, or nobody. Custom rules can also be set for exceptions, which adds another layer of privacy flexibility.
However, because phone numbers are essential to account creation, even users taking precautions can accidentally expose their identity if these settings are neglected.
Telegram’s Stance on Transparency
Telegram is not entirely open-source, especially its server-side code, which is a crucial element for independent security audits. While its mobile app code and MTProto protocol are available for review, this partial transparency has drawn criticism.
In contrast, platforms like Signal are fully open-source and provide reproducible builds, allowing anyone to inspect how the app operates and manages user data. Telegram’s limited openness makes it difficult to verify just how private or secure the app truly is under the hood.
Conclusion: So, Is Telegram Safe?
Telegram aims to strike a balance between usability, functionality, and security. It offers features that can make it a very secure messaging solution—but only if used correctly.
For casual users, Telegram is likely “secure enough,” especially when taking advantage of features like Two-Step Verification and Secret Chats. However, for those dealing with highly sensitive information—like journalists, activists, or whistleblowers—the platform’s failure to implement end-to-end encryption by default and its proprietary security protocols might be a significant downside.
In summary, Telegram is secure, but with caveats. Users must proactively enable certain features to benefit from the highest level of privacy and cannot entirely rely on the app to protect them without some manual configuration.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Q: Is Telegram end-to-end encrypted?
A: Only in Secret Chats. Regular chats (Cloud Chats) are not end-to-end encrypted. -
Q: Can Telegram access my messages?
A: Yes, Telegram can technically access messages that are not encrypted with Secret Chats. -
Q: Are Telegram’s servers secure?
A: Telegram uses distributed servers and encrypts cloud messages, but the encryption keys are also on their servers. -
Q: How can I make Telegram more secure?
A: Enable Secret Chats for sensitive conversations, use Two-Step Verification, and adjust privacy settings. -
Q: Is Telegram better than WhatsApp or Signal for privacy?
A: It depends. Signal offers better default privacy. WhatsApp has end-to-end encryption by default. Telegram offers more features, but less default security.