Is Telegram a Scam?

If you’re thinking of using Telegram, you need to know: Is Telegram a scam? 

Below, we explain whether Telegram is a scam and discuss some steps you can take to improve your safety when using this app. 

What Is Telegram?

Telegram is an instant messaging and social media app. 

You can use it to send messages, media, and files, and make voice and video calls. You can create large group chats (up to 200,000 members) on Telegram and channels for one-way broadcasts.

Telegram offers end-to-end encryption in its “Secret Chats” and uses its custom MTProto encryption protocol. 

It also has various other privacy settings (e.g., hiding phone numbers, self-destructing messages, etc.) and features like stickers and social networking elements such as stories and polls.

It was founded in 2013 by Nikolai and Pavel Durov. 

Telegram is cross-platform and supports Android, iOS, iPadOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, and web browsers. 

Is Telegram a Scam?

No, Telegram is not a scam. It is a legitimate instant messaging service. 

However, scammers love to use Telegram. There are many Telegram scams going around. 

Some of these Telegram scams imitate well-known organizations and brands. 

For example, Coinbase warns its users that though cryptocurrency communities widely use Telegram, scammers also exploit it due to its ease of impersonation. 

Fraudsters create fake Telegram groups, channels, and profiles that look like they’re from legitimate organizations like Coinbase.

Some of the Telegram scams Coinbase warns about include the following:

• Employment scams. “Coinbase” recruiters offer fake job opportunities, tricking victims into paying for training/mining equipment.
• Giveaway scams. Scammers impersonate Coinbase executives in fake giveaways to trick victims into sending digital currency to them.
• Tech support scams. Scammers pretend to be from Coinbase customer support, asking for remote access to victims’ Coinbase accounts or sensitive login credentials to steal their Coinbase funds.

Telegram gets a 4.2 out of 5.0-star rating (from 15,258,105 ratings and 1b+ downloads) on Google Play and a 4.0 out of 5.0-star rating (from 221,978 ratings) on the App Store.

The app has also been reviewed by PCMag, which rated it 3.5 out of 5.0. 

Security

In its privacy policy, Telegram says it stores data in encrypted form on servers (e.g., in the Netherlands for UK/EEA users). End-to-end encrypted data (e.g., secret chats, calls) is processed only on user devices.

Telegram provides two-factor authentication. 

You can also apply an additional passcode to the app, which can add another layer of protection when accessing the Telegram app.

External providers handle payment data – Telegram does not store credit card details.

In 2023, Norwegian authorities recommended that government officials avoid using Telegram on work devices due to security and privacy concerns.

Overall, quite a few countries have banned or attempted to restrict Telegram. 

Privacy

One of Telegram’s main privacy features is its end-to-end encryption. However, this is only available on “secret chats.” Standard chats and group conversations are not encrypted (though voice and video calls on Telegram are end-to-end encrypted).

Speaking of secret chats, these conversations can’t be forwarded, and you can also set messages to self-destruct on both devices so that no trace of them remains on Telegram’s servers.

Regular chat data is stored on Telegram’s servers, so the company could potentially access this data. 

You can manage who can view your phone number (everyone, just your contacts, or no one). 

Additionally, you can regulate who is allowed to add you to groups and channels (e.g., just your contacts). 

Telegram allows you to set your account to automatically delete itself after a period of inactivity, removing all messages and contacts if you don’t log in within the specified time. 

Personal data is retained as long as necessary for service provision.

In the past, Telegram has been reported to reject demands to disclose user information. However, there have also been reports of the company sharing user data. There are also concerns that your IP address might be exposed. 

Telegram explains the kind of data it collects in its privacy policy, as well as what it does with it and whom it shares it with. 

For example, it says it does not use your personal information for ad targeting (and sponsored messages are based solely on public channel topics). 

Evaluations of Telegram’s privacy policy have produced mixed results. 

Terms of Service; Didn’t Read (ToS;DR), an internet project that rates internet services’ terms of service and privacy policies, gives Telegram a “B” rating. 

This means, “The terms of service are fair towards the user but they could be improved.” The rating is comparable to Signal and better than WhatsApp. 

ToS;DR lists as a concern that Telegram could change the terms at any time at their discretion, without notice to the user. It also notes that blocking first-party cookies may limit your ability to use Telegram.

The Common Sense Privacy Program, which focuses on the privacy needs of children and students, rates Telegram at 51 out of 100. 

Their concerns include:

• Personally identifiable information (PII) is collected.
• Unclear whether this product allows data collection by third-party advertising or tracking services.
• Unclear whether this product uses data to track and target advertisements on other third-party websites or services.

On the plus side, the Common Sense Privacy Program says that data is not sold or rented to third parties and is not shared for third-party advertising and/or marketing. 

Also, behavioral or targeted advertising is not displayed and data profiles are not created and used for data enhancement, and/or targeted advertisements.

So, Should You Use Telegram?

Depends on your needs.

If you need the highest level of security for every message, consider alternatives that encrypt all your communications by default. 

But if you prioritize features and usability and are comfortable with the trade-offs, Telegram might be a good option. 

How to Use Telegram Safely

• Use secret chats for sensitive conversations. Secret chats use end-to-end encryption, prevent message forwarding, and allow you to set messages to self-destruct after a specified period. 
• Turn on two-factor authentication. Activate two-step verification (2FA). 
• Hide your personal information. Adjust your privacy settings to control who can view your phone number, profile picture, and last-seen status, and limit who can add you to groups. 
• Be wary of phishing attempts. Exercise caution with unfamiliar contacts, especially if they send messages containing links or attachments, as these might be phishing attempts or malware. 
• Control who can forward your messages. Edit your settings to restrict who can forward your messages, reducing the risk of them being shared beyond your intended audience. 
• Protect your Telegram account. Add a passcode lock to stop unauthorized access, and periodically review the ‘Active Sessions’ section in your settings to monitor logged-in devices, closing any that seem suspicious or unnecessary. 
• Be mindful of your username. Your username remains visible to others in groups and channels, even if they are not in your contact list. 
• Update the app. That way, you can take advantage of the latest security improvements and privacy features.