What you're agreeing to

Telegram's Terms of Service allow Telegram to delete or block content and accounts that violate its policies without prior notice. Only Secret Chats use end-to-end encryption — regular chats are stored on Telegram's servers unencrypted.

Privacy in plain English

Telegram stores all non-secret chat messages, group chats, and media on its servers unencrypted by default. Regular chats can be accessed by Telegram and potentially by law enforcement with a court order.

Terms of Service: Breakdown

Concerning Clauses

• - Regular Telegram chats are stored on Telegram's servers and are not end-to-end encrypted by default.
• Telegram can terminate accounts that violate its terms without providing a detailed reason.
• Third-party bots and mini-apps within Telegram operate under their own terms and can access your chat data.

Data Sharing

• - Telegram may disclose user IP addresses and phone numbers to law enforcement in response to valid court orders for terrorism cases.
• Third-party bots you interact with receive your username and any data you share with them.

Known Incidents

• - 2024: Telegram CEO Pavel Durov was arrested in France as part of an investigation into illegal content facilitated on the platform.

Privacy Policy: Breakdown

Privacy Issues

• - Cloud messages are stored server-side and not protected by end-to-end encryption unless Secret Chat is manually enabled.
• Telegram collects your phone number, IP address, and device information at registration.

Who Gets Your Data

• - Telegram's stated policy is to only share data with governments for confirmed terrorist suspects following a court order. - Third-party mini-apps and bots within the platform operate under separate privacy agreements.

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