LLLL ➤ Was it a telegram? We present the popular messaging app

Instant messengers have become an integral part of modern communication these days and WhatsApp alone has about 1.5 billion users all over the world. From the acquisition of Facebook, the a more popular service has been criticized, above all due to data protection problems. Fortunately, there are better and safer alternatives. One of these is the Short News Service Telegram, which has become increasingly popular, especially since the beginning of the crown crisis. Here you can find out everything you need to know about the Messenger app based on «Made in Russia» cloud.

1. What is the telegram and what can I do?

Telegram is a free messaging app with which you can send and receive direct messages to your friends, family or acquaintances. The prerequisite for this is that they also use Telegram. Messages can be a pure text, but also the media (e.g. images, videos) or other files and documents, whose maximum size is 1.5 GB. In addition to common emojis, numerous stickers are also available.

Good to know: The telegram cannot be used only on mobile devices (under iOS and Android), but can also be used in the browser or as software on the PC.

Registration in Telegram takes place just like with WhatsApp through your phone number. The app is based on cloud, which means that you can access all your chat messages from anywhere and various devices. It also allows groups with a maximum of 200,000 and channels with an unlimited number of members.

1.1. Data encryption and authentication to 2 factors

By default, Telegram has encrypted only chat from the user device to the cloud server. As a result, you can access all your chats from various devices without having to create a backup. However, the data stored on the server can theoretically be displayed by the operator or any other authorized third party.

For this reason, Telegram also has a «secret» chat function in addition to open chats, in which a storage space is paid in the cloud. These are end-to-end and can only be used on the device on which entertainment began. In group chats, end-to-end encryption is not possible. For this purpose, the calls made by the app are encrypted by default.

An destructive timer can also be established for news in the private channel, which destroys them after some time. However, note that the timer also includes unread messages. As a further safety measure, there is also the possibility of activating a two-stage registration, in which, in addition to the SMS code, the specification of a password (self-selection) is required.

1.2. Programmed elimination of chat messages

Telegram stores all messages (except secret chats) on cloud servers, but are eliminated there after a while. Alternatively, you can obviously also delete conversations or individual messages. This not only removes them from your device, but also from all the others, for example, from the receiver’s cell phone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1e6lheslz4

2. Telegram and data protection: how safe is the messaging app?

The crucial point of data protection on Telegram is that developers’ declarations can hardly be controlled And most users are not really clear, which generally expect in terms of data protection.

The Stiftung Warentest, for example, criticizes the fact that Telegram puts users of users on one of the comparison servers. According to the developer, this procedure is mandatory, otherwise it cannot be viewed which of your contacts also uses Telegram. You can also ban access to your contacts at any time. In this case, you have to ask your contact if you are also using the Messenger app.

Good to know: According to the data protection declaration, Telegram memorizes the IP address, the version of the app, information on the type of device used and the username (including change chronology) for a maximum of twelve months. This should mainly serve to limit the spam. Otherwise, nothing is known about facing information and position data (e.g. as regards the «local groups» function). According to their declarations, operators have never sent data to authorities or governments.

3. Alternative version Telegram X

With Telegram X, the manufacturer himself offers an alternative that should not only be faster than the «normal» telegram, but also has a series of experimental functions in addition to the attractive animations. In addition, battery consumption should also be significantly lower than the original. Telegram X mainly acts as a test app for the functions that could subsequently be transferred to the «normal» app.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfxgbjms-vc

4. Conclusion: WhatsApp or Telegram?

As for data protection and encryption, the telegram is clearly ahead of the green giants. Both messengers are encrypted. However, Telegram creators do not ensure any information on governments or authorities, while WhatsApp even admits their tradition (after the user’s express authorization).

Another advantage: Telegram bees publicly, which should particularly appreciate developers. For example, you can also create your apps and thanks Bot fire any service Integrate or even Accepts payments from users.

Russian developers also give new features to their messenger at regular intervals, which means that this WhatsApp is also superior. However, the latter is used by several people, who is an elementary criterion in the case of instant messaging services. Because communication is possible only if your contacts use the same chat program as yourself.

You can find more information on this topic in our confrontation «Telegram vs. Whatsapp».

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7q4fiorfec

(43 votes, media: 4,20 out of 5)
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