Service contains risks and is suitable for some use cases. (Read more)
The service if produced entirely or partly outside EU/ETA area. The customer is responsible for fulfilment of european data privacy and information security requirements. (Read more)
Telegram
Telegram is a cloud-based instant messaging service for mobiles and desktops (messages, phone calls, video calls, team communication). Telegram app works on Android, iOS, Mac, Linux and windows operating systems.Terms of Service & Privacy Policy
- API interface Terms of Service https://core.telegram.org/api/terms
- The actual Terms of Service are very limited (chekcked undated version): https://telegram.org/tos.
- Privacy (Aug 14th 2018 updated as May 25th 2019 checked): https://telegram.org/privacy
Evaluation (13 Oct 2020)
End to End ecryption is possible (Secret Chat)- The Self-Destruct Timer is available for all messages in Secret Chats or any messages you sent or received can be deleted in any one-on-one conversation, messages are deleted from both participants (but not in Group Chat)
- Versatile; Group discussions,Bots, Channels, Multimedia, File Transfer up to 2 GB
- Open (mainly) Source (at least APIs)
- Auditing possilbe for Third Party
- Good documentation (esp. for Security Features)
- Compatible with other messaging apps, for example Slack and Irc
- Account can be removed by user (all data will be removed)
- Unused account will be deleted after 6 months after last login, all data will be removed
- Two-step authentication possible
- No advertisements
Data is stored to Cloud (for EU/ETA users the service is in the Netherlands- Phone app is mandatory to install (Utilises mobile phone contacts although desktop or browser used)
- Encryption is not on by default
- Uses own encryption protocol MTProto Mobile Protocol https://core.telegram.org/mtproto/description (which is well descripted ) but only some of Telegam´s clients uses it
- Terms of Service inadequate
Login
- Logging is done by full (international) phone number and password while installing Telegam Client. Account is verified by SMS.
- Two-step authentication can be switched on in settings (password + SMS)
Support
- https://telegram.org/faq
- https://telegram.org/support
- Inadequate TOS, thus no full support and guarantee for availability
Provider
- Telegram Org (Pavel and Nikolai Durov).
Revenue
- Pavel Durov is financing Telegram for ideological reasons.
Similar services
- Signal, WhatsApp