To answer the main question, "What is Telegram and how does it work?", let's break it down into two parts: what Telegram is and how it functions.
What is Telegram?
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Overview:
- Telegram is a cloud-based instant messaging service that was launched in 2013. It is known for its speed and security features.
- It was founded by Nikolai and Pavel Durov and has grown to over 950 million monthly active users as of 2024.
- Telegram is available on multiple platforms, including Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux.
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Features:
- Telegram offers messaging, media sharing, voice and video calls, and social networking features like channels and stories.
- It supports group chats with up to 200,000 members and channels for broadcasting messages to unlimited subscribers.
- Users can send messages, create group chats, and start Secret Chats, which are fully encrypted.
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Security and Privacy:
- Telegram uses the MTProto encryption protocol and offers end-to-end encryption for Secret Chats.
- It provides privacy options like hiding last seen status, phone number, and profile photo.
- Users can set up two-step verification and remote logout for additional security.
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Customization and Usability:
- Telegram allows customization of notifications, font size, backgrounds, and night mode.
- It supports features like message editing, deletion, and scheduling, as well as animated stickers and GIFs.
How does Telegram work?
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Account Setup:
- To use Telegram, users must verify their phone number via SMS. They can set a display name and a four-digit PIN for account protection.
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Messaging and Communication:
- Telegram allows users to send text messages, media, and files up to 2 GB in size. Messages can be accessed from multiple devices without needing the phone connected.
- Secret Chats offer client-to-client encryption and self-destructing messages for enhanced privacy.
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Group and Channel Communication:
- Users can create group chats with up to 200,000 members and channels for one-way communication to unlimited subscribers.
- Features like polls, reactions, and anonymous forwarding enhance group interactions.
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Additional Features:
- Telegram supports bots for various functionalities, including games and news updates.
- Users can organize chats into folders, pin messages, and set reminders.
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Security Concerns:
- While Telegram offers many security features, its default text chats are not end-to-end encrypted, unlike some competitors like Signal and WhatsApp.
- Security experts have criticized Telegram's cryptography as untested for sensitive information.
In summary, Telegram is a versatile messaging platform that combines speed, security, and a wide range of features to facilitate communication across multiple devices. It offers both public and private communication options, with a focus on user privacy and customization. However, users should be aware of its security limitations, especially regarding default chat encryption.
