If you’re wondering whether Telegram is safe to use – especially with all the recent headlines about its CEO - you’re not alone.

Telegram, being an open-source, cloud-based messaging app, is famous among privacy-focused users. However, its CEO, Pavel Durov, was arrested in 2024 over alleged links to extremist content on Telegram. Since then, both he and the platform have been at the center of ongoing controversies, and users are questioning is Telegram trustworthy and if it can be used by kids?

In this blog, we’ll break down how secure Telegram is and share some tried and tested privacy tips to help you use the app more safely.

Is Telegram safe to use?

Telegram app is normally considered safe for everyday basic messaging. It offers large group chats and broadcast channels, secret chats, and file sharing up to 2GB. The secret of Telegram’s message encryption and speed is in its custom encryption protocol, MTProto.

But is Telegram secure, as many believe? The answer lies in how you use the app.

How safe is Telegram for user privacy and security?

Although you will not find Telegram’s security-focused features flawless, they do offer some excellent privacy control that is rare among mainstream messaging apps. Let’s find out how secure the Telegram app is by looking at what makes its security features so privacy-oriented.

1. MTProto Encryption Protocol

Telegram messenger uses a unique custom-built protocol called MTProto to encrypt messages. MTProto encrypts user messages to and from its cloud servers. This protocol has never been publicly broken. Telegram also held a $300,000 cryptographic contest challenging experts to break its protocol and none succeeded.

2. End-to-end encryption (in secret chats)

Well, Telegram offers end-to-end encryption (E2EE), but only in its Secret Chats feature. E2EE means that only you and the recipient can read the message and not even Telegram can access its contents.

3. Two-step verification (2FA)

You can set up two-step verification, also called two-factor authentication (2FA), in Telegram app. It means that you can secure the login with a password. This is added security in case someone gains access to your phone or intercepts the login code.

4. Self-destructing accounts, messages and media

Telegram accounts, messages and media can be set to self-destruct after a period of time. This helps ensure that unused accounts and sensitive data do not remain accessible forever.

5. User-controlled privacy settings

The Telegram app gives you full control over who can view your number or find you, add you to groups, and much more. Controlling these privacy settings can help you stay safe from spammers and hackers.

6. Open-source client code

Open-source code means that independent researchers have access to inspect the app’s code. Telegram’s source code is like that at the user end. However, the server-side code remains closed.

Overall, Telegram app safety depends on how users use its settings. If you’re wondering, “Is Telegram app safe to use?”, the answer is yes—for those privacy-aware users who actively use its Telegram security features.

What makes Telegram unsafe?

The main concern experts have with Telegram’s security model is that although it provides granular privacy control at the user end, its business structure and the way user data is stored on its servers leave privacy and security vulnerable. For example, many users assume Telegram is fully encrypted by default, which isn’t true.

Here’s what makes Telegram unsafe for any regular user.

1. End-to-end encryption is not default

Telegram does not use end-to-end encryption for regular chats; it is only available in one-on-one secret chats.

If you are not using Secret Chats, your messages are not truly private.

2. Confidential server framework

Telegram’s front-end code is open source. However, its server infrastructure is entirely proprietary. This means the bigger security model cannot be fully verified by independent researchers.

3. Lack of independent security audits

Unlike some competing messengers like Signal, Telegram has not undergone any major independent security audit of its overall architecture and implementation. So, it is hard to trust the platform’s privacy promises at face value.

4. Custom encryption protocol (MTProto)

MTProto is not widely used or peer-reviewed like industry standards (e.g., Signal Protocol). Security experts are, therefore, cautious about custom-built cryptography because it may contain flaws that haven’t been discovered yet.

5. chat data accessible to Telegram

All your group chats, super groups, channels, and regular one-on-one messages are stored on Telegram’s cloud servers and encrypted only during transit. This means that the company technically has access to the messages even if it claims not to read them.

Despite its reputation, the question remains: is Telegram safe from hackers and spammers?

Research shows that Telegram has been used in fraud cases, including investment scams and illicit marketplaces. The app’s security is strong when used correctly but dangerously misunderstood when used casually.

Is Telegram safer than WhatsApp?

Telegram has also faced criticism for not encrypting regular and group chats end-to-end. Therefore, the claim that Telegram is safer than Whatsapp is untrue, as the app stores messages (except secret chats) and users IP addresses on its servers without end-to-end encryption.

Why is Telegram controversial?

Telegram app has been used for everything from political organizing in Iran and Belarus to communications during war zones like Ukraine. Telegram’s lax content moderation policy allows a wide range of content, including misinformation, hate speech, and illegal activities, with minimal oversight. This aligns with its pro-privacy stance, but it also makes the app unsafe for many kids especially, unless proper security features on the app are put in place.

Tips on how to protect your privacy on Telegram?

If you’re serious about protecting your privacy, then please note that Telegram’s default settings are not always the most secure. So, take control by adjusting these key settings and habits:

1. Use secret chats

Use secret chats so that your messages are always E2EE. InTelegram’s secret chats do not allow forwarding any message or taking screenshots of the chat. There’s also an option for self-destruct message timers in secret chats, and you can access them only on one device. Here’s how you can start a secret chat on Telegram.

  • Open the app → select the contact’s name.
  • Tap the three dots.
  • Tap Start Secret Chat.
  • Tap the clock icon in the text field to set a self-destruct timer for messages. This option is also available for regular messages.

2. Enable two-step verification

Enable two-step verification. Here’s how you can activate this:

  • Open the Telegram app and go to the menu.
  • Tap Settings → Privacy and Security → Two-Step Verification.
  • Set a password. Telegram will send you an SMS with a code to complete the process.

Don’t forget to add a recovery email because if you forget this password, you won’t be able to access your messages.

3. Use VPN to hide IP address

Even if Telegram is secure, your network traffic isn’t, especially on public Wi-Fi. Using a reliable VPN like EonVPN helps:

4. Review privacy and security settings

Take some time to review the app’s privacy and security settings. By default, Telegram may share more of your personal details than you realize. You can restrict who sees your information, block unknown users, and prevent others from adding you to random groups. Just go to Settings → Privacy and Security.

5. Delete messages for everyone

Whether you are in a Secret Chat or a regular conversation on Telegram, you can delete any message for both parties, anytime, no time limit. This is helpful if you are logged in on multiple devices.

  1. Tap and hold the message you want to delete.
  2. Tap Delete from the menu.
  3. Choose “Delete for me and [recipient’s name].”
  4. Tap Delete again to confirm.

6. Send self-destructing media files

People often ask “Is Telegram secure for sending private photos?” The answer is Yes, but only in Secret Chats. So, for added privacy in regular chats, you can send self-destructing photos and videos that disappear after the recipient views them.

  1. Tap the paperclip icon to attach media.
  2. Choose a photo or video.
  3. Tap the clock icon before sending.
  4. Set the timer and send the media will auto-delete after viewing.

This will prevent your media files from lingering in someone’s gallery. You can also set an auto-delete option for your messages in Privacy and Security → Auto-Delete Messages.

7. Self-destruct account when inactive

Telegram offers an option to automatically delete your account if it remains inactive for a certain period. This can be a last-resort solution if you ever lose access to your account. However, choosing the inactivity duration carefully and setting it too short could erase your account before you realize it.

  • Open the app and go to the menu.
  • Go to Settings → Privacy and Security → If Away For.
  • Set it to your preference.

8. Be cautious of bots, strangers, and spam

Not all of Telegram’s third-party bots are verified. They can be used for phishing or spreading malware. Avoid interacting with unfamiliar bots, especially in public groups or channels.

Also, don’t accept messages, calls, or invites from strangers this can expose you to scams or harmful content. If you receive spam or suspicious messages, block and report the sender to stay safe.

Conclusion

Is Telegram a safe app? It depends on what you’re comparing it to and how you are using its security features. Telegram offers many security tools, but in its default mode, it is not as private as other messaging apps. That said, Telegram can be used safely if you understand its limitations and enable all security features.

FAQs

Why is Telegram a red flag?

Due to its lax content moderation, use by extremist groups, and the absence of end-to-end encryption in standard chats, some consider it a privacy or safety concern.

Is Telegram’s secret chat safe?

Yes. Secret Chats use end-to-end encryption, don’t allow forwarding, and support self-destructing messages for extra privacy.

Is Telegram untraceable?

No. While it offers privacy features, Telegram data can still be traced by authorities if required, especially in non-Secret Chats.

Is the Telegram app used for scams?

Yes, like any platform, Telegram has been used for phishing, fake giveaways, and investment scams, particularly in public channels and groups.

Why do people use Telegram?

People use Telegram for its speed, large file sharing, group features, privacy options, and freedom from ads or algorithmic feeds.