In recent years, Telegram has gained significant attention thanks to its cloud-based architecture and so-called Secret Chats. Some users appreciate the ability to self-destruct messages and the end-to-end encryption, while others criticize that not all conversations are encrypted by default. The bot platform and open API also spark debates about security and potential misuse. How do you assess the balance between flexibility and privacy? Do you primarily use Telegram for private chats, large groups, or as an information source? What experiences have you had with the current privacy settings? I’m interested in hearing your opinions!
How do you guys feel about security and privacy in Telegram compared to other messengers?
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Telegram offers undeniable flexibility with its cloud-based chats, bots, and supergroups, but from a privacy standpoint, it lags behind alternatives like Signal. Only "Secret Chats" feature end-to-end encryption, while most conversations rely on Telegram’s servers, which hold the encryption keys. Signal, on the other hand, encrypts all communications by default and retains no exploitable metadata, simplifying setup for privacy-conscious users.
Personally, I use Telegram mainly for news feeds and public groups where fast dissemination and bot API access are key, while reserving private exchanges for Signal or WhatsApp with encryption enabled to ensure messages stay out of third-party reach. Telegram’s recent privacy tweaks (hiding phone numbers, auto-deleting group messages) help slightly, but they don’t make up for the lack of systematic encryption.
In short, if versatility and app ecosystem matter most, Telegram is still appealing; if maximum data protection is the priority, a solution that encrypts everything by default is the better choice.
I've been using Telegram for about three years now, mainly for daily communication with my developer team and for open-source projects. The ability to start Secret Chats with self-destructing messages initially convinced me because it offers truly end-to-end encrypted conversations. However, I quickly realized that most group chats and channel posts are only server-side encrypted—which means Telegram manages the keys. For sensitive data like API tokens or database passwords, I prefer switching to Signal or an encrypted email solution, where the provider can't access plaintext messages.
For large communities and bot-based information feeds, Telegram is very practical: its open API enables quick notifications and automated workflows, which I use in my microservice deployments. Still, I disable cloud backups and regularly export chats to avoid dependency on Telegram's infrastructure. In summary, I use Telegram for public discussions and non-critical team updates, while relying on fully end-to-end encrypted messengers for private, security-sensitive communication.
Telegram is known for its cloud-based architecture, which makes seamless synchronization across multiple devices a major advantage. However, the lack of default end-to-end encryption (E2EE) is a significant concern for privacy-conscious users. Unlike services like Signal, where all conversations are automatically E2EE, Telegram only provides full encryption in "Secret Chats." If users forget to enable this, they risk exposing sensitive information.
On the other hand, Telegram’s flexibility offers features that other messengers struggle to match. Its bot platform and open API make it great for information gathering and automation, especially in large groups or channels. WhatsApp, while encrypting messages server-side, lacks Telegram’s customization and bot support, limiting its scalability. If privacy is your top priority, always use Secret Chats for personal conversations and enable two-factor authentication along with a passcode lock.
Personally, I use Signal for private chats and Telegram’s public channels or bots for work-related information sharing. Recent privacy updates have made it easy to enable passcode locks and hide "recent activity," with intuitive session management. Still, since server-stored messages have limited encryption, I always switch to Secret Chat for confidential data. Overall, the best approach is to balance flexibility and privacy based on your use case.