Telegram
Telegram offers notable privacy protections, minimal ad profiling, user controls, and account/data deletion rights. Main downsides are server-side storage for normal chats, third-party data sharing for optional features, auto-renewing nonrefundable subscriptions, unilateral policy changes, and broad service/liability disclaimers.
Telegram’s legal terms are relatively privacy-forward for a mainstream messaging service: it limits ad targeting, offers end-to-end encrypted secret chats, and provides deletion and data-rights tools. But regular cloud chats are stored on Telegram servers, some optional features share data with third parties, subscriptions auto-renew and are mostly nonrefundable, and Telegram reserves broad discretion to update terms and suspend accounts.
Points of interest
Telegram says it does not use personal data for ad targeting. Sponsored messages in public channels are contextual rather than based on user profiling.
"Unlike other services, we don't use your data for ad targeting or other commercial purposes."
Secret chats are end-to-end encrypted and Telegram says it cannot read them. It also says it does not store secret chats as readable server-side content.
"Secret chats use end-to-end encryption... There is no way for us or anybody else... to learn what content is being sent."
Normal cloud chats, media, and files are stored on Telegram’s servers so they sync across devices. That is convenient, but it means standard chats do not get the same privacy model as secret chats.
"We store messages, photos, videos and documents from your cloud chats on our servers so that you can access your data from any of your devices."
Telegram Premium renews automatically until canceled, and deleting your account or app does not stop billing. Early cancellation generally does not give a partial refund or credit.
"Deleting your Telegram account or removing the Telegram application from your device does not cancel your subscription."
Users can delete their account and cloud data, and Telegram recognizes access, correction, deletion, objection, restriction, and portability rights under applicable law.
"You have a right to: (1) request a copy of all your personal data... (2) delete... (3) restrict, or object..."
Telegram may collect IP address, device/app usage, and username-history metadata for security and abuse prevention, and can keep it for up to 12 months.
"we may collect metadata such as your IP address, devices and Telegram apps you've used, history of username changes... kept for 12 months maximum"
Your chosen screen name, username, and profile photos are always public. That makes discovery easier, but reduces default privacy around account identity.
"the screen name you choose, your profile pictures, and your username... on Telegram are always public"
Telegram reserves the right to update its terms and privacy policy later. Privacy-policy changes take effect when posted, though Telegram says important changes will be notified in-app.
"We reserve the right to update these Terms of Service later."
Telegram can temporarily or permanently ban accounts for violations, and says it will not compensate users for lost Premium benefits. Reported cloud-chat messages may also be reviewed by moderators.
"Failure to comply with the Telegram Terms of Service may result in a temporary or a permanent ban from Telegram"
Telegram says it may disclose IP address and phone number only under valid criminal-authority orders and will include such disclosures in a quarterly transparency report.
"If any data is shared, we will include such occurrences in a quarterly transparency report published at: https://t.me/transparency."
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Documents
Terms of Service
source ↗- •By using Telegram, you accept its Privacy Policy, any applicable feature-specific terms, and EU users also accept the EU Digital Services Act guidance.
- •EU users must be at least 18 to sign up, and Telegram may update these terms later.
- •You must not violate Telegram’s rules, including bans on data scraping under its Content Licensing and AI Scraping Terms.
- •Telegram Premium renews monthly or yearly until canceled, and deleting your account or app does not cancel the subscription.
- •Premium charges are generally nonrefundable, including early cancellation, but Telegram refunds the unused prepaid portion if it ends subscriptions.
- •Telegram may change Premium fees or terms with at least 30 days' notice, and you can cancel before the new fee takes effect.
- •If you break the terms, Telegram may temporarily or permanently ban you, and it will not compensate you for lost Premium benefits.
- •Telegram uses third-party payment processors, and third-party purchases may also be governed by those providers’ terms and billing rules.
- •You are responsible for taxes, internet, data, and other usage costs, and payment providers may add commissions or currency conversion charges.
- •Telegram does not guarantee uninterrupted service, feature availability, speed improvements, or transcription and translation accuracy, and limits liability for related losses.
Privacy Policy
source ↗- •Telegram collects your phone number and basic account details to create your account, and your chosen name, username, and profile photo are public.
- •Cloud chats, media, and files are stored on Telegram’s servers in encrypted form, while secret chats are end-to-end encrypted and not stored as readable content.
- •Telegram may collect metadata like IP address, devices used, and username history for security, spam prevention, and abuse detection, keeping it up to 12 months.
- •Telegram can access cloud-chat messages only when recipients report them, and confirmed spam or serious violations may lead to restrictions, bans, or appeals through @Spambot.
- •Telegram syncs your contacts with permission, lets you delete synced contacts in settings, and may use anonymized phone-number sets for invite suggestions.
- •Telegram says it does not use personal data for ad targeting; sponsored messages in public channels are based on channel topics, not user profiling.
- •Using bots, mini apps, business chatbots, translation, voice-to-text, or payments can share your data with independent third parties or payment providers.
- •Telegram may share data with group companies, transfer data to other users you message, and may disclose your IP address and phone number under valid criminal orders.
- •You can request access, correction, deletion, restriction, objection, and portability rights under applicable law, and EU/EEA users can contact Telegram’s GDPR representative.
- •You can delete your account anytime, which permanently removes cloud data, and inactive accounts are deleted automatically after 18 months by default.
