Is Telegram Really Safe? Hidden Privacy Risks You Missed

In fact, even though founder Pavel Durov repeatedly emphasizes that Telegram uses end-to-end encryption, if you carefully examine its feature settings, you'll still find some easily overlooked privacy vulnerabilities. These issues can not only expose your real identity but also allow strangers to easily access your location, photos, and even chat history.

This article will take you on a deep dive into 5 privacy and security issues present in Telegram, along with practical prevention tips.

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"De-anonymizing" Users via Phone Number

One of Telegram's biggest privacy concerns is its ability to obtain a person's real information using just their phone number.

How "De-anonymization" Works:

1. Open Telegram, go to your contacts list, and tap "+" to add a contact.
2. Enter the other person's phone number and save it with any name.
3. If the person has registered Telegram with that number, you will immediately see:
   • Their username (nickname)
   • Their profile picture (if not hidden)
   • Their online status (Recently, Last seen a long time ago, etc.)

Furthermore, you can even obtain the real name they've set in Telegram:

• On their profile page, tap "Edit" in the top right corner.
• Tap "Delete" to remove them from your contacts.
• At this point, their chat window will display the name they use on Telegram, not the contact name you previously assigned.

This means that even if you don't know the person, possessing their phone number allows you to gather a range of personal information through Telegram. If they use the same username on other social platforms (like Instagram or Twitter), you might even be able to uncover more details by following that lead.

How to Prevent This:

• In Telegram's privacy settings, limit who can find you by phone number.
• Set your profile picture and online status to be visible only to your contacts.
• Avoid using the same username across multiple platforms.

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How to Tell if Someone Has Blocked You?

Telegram won't directly tell you "you've been blocked," but there are a few telltale signs:

• Online status shows "long time ago," even if the person is actively using Telegram.
• Their profile picture disappears, especially if you could previously see it.
• Sent messages only show a single checkmark (indicating message not delivered), not two.

If all three of these signs appear simultaneously, it's highly likely you've been blocked.

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Screenshot Protection on iOS Telegram is Virtually Useless

Telegram has a "screenshot protection" feature, especially in Secret Chats and for self-destructing photos. If someone takes a screenshot, you receive a notification.

However, the issue is:

• On iOS, this protection is almost ineffective. The other person can easily take screenshots or screen recordings, and you'll only get a "someone took a screenshot" notification without being able to prevent the action.
• On Android, Secret Chats do not allow screenshots, and the screen turns black during screen recording, making the protection more robust.

Recommendation

If you're worried about someone screenshotting sensitive content, the best approach is not to send it. Especially when using an iOS device, don't rely too heavily on this feature.

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Desktop Telegram Automatically Saves All Files

Many people are unaware that the Telegram desktop app automatically saves all received images, videos, and audio files by default.

These files are typically saved in your "Downloads" folder, with a path similar to:

C:\Users\YourName\Downloads\Telegram Desktop

If you've ever logged into Telegram on a work computer or a friend's machine, you might have unintentionally left behind a large number of private files.

How to Turn Off Auto-Saving:

1. Open the Telegram desktop app and click the menu in the top left corner.
2. Go to "Settings" → "Advanced Settings."
3. Under "Data and Storage," enable "Ask for save path for every downloaded file."

This way, each time you receive a file in the future, Telegram will prompt you for a save location instead of automatically storing it.

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"People Nearby" Feature Can Expose Your Location

Telegram's "People Nearby" feature helps you find users or groups in your vicinity, but it can also expose your location without your knowledge.

How to Check if You're Visible to Strangers:

1. Open Telegram, go to "Contacts" → "Find People Nearby."
2. If the system prompts you to grant location permission, it means you are currently not visible, which is secure.
3. If it directly displays a list of nearby users, it means you are also visible on others' lists.

How to Turn It Off:

On the "People Nearby" page, tap "Don't show me" to immediately stop displaying your location to others.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Telegram's End-to-End Encryption Really Secure?

Telegram's regular chats are not end-to-end encrypted; only "Secret Chats" are. If you require the highest level of security, be sure to use the Secret Chat mode.

How can I prevent people from finding me via my phone number?

Go to "Settings" → "Privacy and Security" → "Phone Number" and select "My Contacts" or "Nobody." This will prevent strangers from searching for you by your phone number.

Why can some people see my online status?

By default, everyone can see your online status. You can change this in "Privacy and Security" → "Last Seen & Online" by setting it to "My Contacts" or "Nobody."

Does Telegram save my chat history?

Regular chat history is stored on Telegram's servers (in the cloud). However, Secret Chat history is only saved on your local device and supports self-destruct timers.

How do I delete my Telegram account permanently?

Go to "Settings" → "Privacy and Security" → "Delete my account." Choose a time duration (e.g., 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, or 12 months). If you don't log in during this period, your account will be automatically deleted.

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Conclusion

Telegram does exhibit strong performance in terms of encryption and security, but it is not without its flaws. Many privacy leak issues often stem from users overlooking feature settings, rather than from system vulnerabilities themselves.

If you want to maximize your privacy protection, we recommend:

• Regularly checking your privacy settings to limit the information strangers can access.
• Using Secret Chats for sensitive conversations.
• Disabling the auto-save feature on the desktop app.
• Using the "People Nearby" feature with caution.

Remember, even the strongest encryption tools require correct usage by the user to be truly effective.