Staying safe on Telegram

Tips on how to enhance your security and privacy on Telegram to help you navigate the app safely.

Last Updated30/07/2024

What is Telegram?

Telegram is a cloud-based messaging app that allows users to send messages and make audio calls for free. Known for its support of large groups and channels, it allows extensive mass communication.

Below is a summary of Telegram's features and safety tips to help you navigate the app safely.

Distinctive features:

Secret chats: Send disappearing messages with self-destruct timers ranging from 2 seconds to a week.
Chat bots: AI-powered accounts to engage users through games and conversations.
People/groups nearby: Connect with local users without revealing precise locations.
Channels: Broadcast messages to unlimited subscribers.

Additional familiar features include hashtags, saved messages, live location sharing, and customisation options.

While Telegram uses end-to-end encryption in select areas, it primarily relies on 'client-to-server encryption,' offering varying levels of privacy.

Telegram safety tips

Due to its unique features, it’s important to familiarise yourself with Telegram before using. We recommend the following:

Responsible sharing: Be mindful when sharing messages, photos, and videos, as disappearing messages have limits and content can be saved or shared (for example, someone could screenshot your content).
Image ownership: Ensure your images are protected and promote sharing safer images across platforms.
Identifying misinformation: Not everything on the app is truthful. Learn to recognise deep fakes and potential misinformation.
Reporting inappropriate content: Familiarise yourself with Telegram’s reporting function to handle illegal, inappropriate, or abusive content.

Privacy and security on Telegram

Telegram offers various settings to protect your privacy, allowing you to control who can see your information.

Control who can see your information:

Go to "Settings" > "Privacy and Security".
Adjust settings for "Phone Number", "Last Seen & Online", "Profile Photo", and "Forwarded Messages".

Secret chats

Telegram offers Secret Chats, which are end-to-end encrypted.

Open a chat with the person you want to start a Secret Chat with.
Tap on their name at the top.
Select "Start Secret Chat".

Manage active sessions

Regularly review and manage active sessions to ensure that only your devices are logged into your account.

Go to "Settings" > "Devices".
Review the list of devices and terminate any sessions that are not recognized.

Use strong, unique passwords

Use a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols for your Telegram account password. Avoid using the same password across multiple platforms.

Check out our advice on how to choose a strong password.(/online-safety-at-home/how-to-choose-a-good-password)

Enable two-step verification

Two-step verification adds an extra layer of security to your account by requiring a password in addition to the SMS code you receive.

Open Telegram and go to "Settings".
Tap "Privacy and Security".
Select "Two-Step Verification" and follow the instructions to set up a password.

How to block and report on Telegram

Worried about a person on Telegram?

If you need to block or report someone on Telegram:

Blocking an individual user:
- Open Telegram > Open chat > 3-dot menu (top right) > Block
Reporting a channel:
- Open Telegram > Open channel > Select channel name (top) > Report > Select the report reason
Leaving a channel:
- Open Telegram > Open channel > 3-dot menu (top right) > Leave channel

Worried about content on Telegram?

If you need to report content by email:

Open your email app and write a new email.
Address it to [email protected] with a subject like “Report user @username”.
Provide a detailed message including the username, chat ID, group or channel name, and any relevant screenshots or links.
Send your email and await a response from the Telegram team.

For app-based reporting:

Open the Telegram app.
Go to the desired channel.
Tap the three-line icon (top right) > Report.
Specify the reason for reporting: Spam, Violence, Pornography, or Other (provide a description).

Further information about Telegram

Understand how Telegram handles personal information by reading their Privacy Policy at Telegram Privacy Policy(https://telegram.org/privacy). To learn about Telegram’s encryption and data safety practices, visit their Data Safety Page(https://telegram.org/faq#secure).

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