Hello readers,
I hope all of you are doing well and enjoying a beautiful day with your friends and family. If you have not been sleeping under a rock for a long time and are allowed technology in your life, then you must be aware of the Telegram app. The Telegram app without a doubt has become one of the most popular messaging apps globally. In fact, its user onboarding trajectory graph is exponential and people are also loving to use this app, as it provides a range of features that set it apart from other platforms like WhatsApp or other top web2 messaging apps out there. Founded by Pavel Durov, Telegram is known for its rebellious stand on privacy, security and flexibility. While WhatsApp is widely used for personal communication, Telegram's unique features that hold great potential make it a much better choice for many users who want more than just messaging.
What Makes Telegram Stand Out?
The Telegram app allows users to create large groups with up to 200,000 members, thus making it ideal for communities, organizations and large interest groups. The app also supports creating and running big channels, where channel admins can broadcast messages to unlimited audiences, so there is no doubt that the Telegram team has created a powerful tool for content distribution with much more potential than any other web2 messaging app out there right now.
One of Telegram's salient features that makes it stand out is its use of bots. In simple words, bots are automated accounts that can perform a variety of tasks for the user, from sending important notifications to playing mini games directly within the app and more. This groundbreaking mechanism has led to the development of entire new ecosystems like the tap-to-earn gaming segment, which operates solely on Telegram as of now. Thus on Telegram, users can easily play games and earn rewards without ever leaving the app or downloading anything, this showcases Telegram's advanced technological capabilities and indicates its influence in the near future.
Additionally, Telegram is also known for its commitment to privacy, which is a rare thing that you hardly find in other social media systems nowadays. The app offers end-to-end encryption for its secret chats and self-destructing messages and even has an option to use the app without sharing your phone number. These features make Telegram the new favorite among those who prioritize security and privacy in their online communications.
Governments are Eyeing on Telegram
Now let me come to the main topic as recently, the Telegram app has come under scanner from various governments around the world including my country as well. This alarming condition has raised concerns among its vast number of users, especially in countries where the app is widely used. Like many others, the government of India is also currently investigating Telegram for its potential misuse in criminal activities, fake news and hate speech. This investigation is significant because it could lead to the app being banned in India, similar to what happened with TikTok back in 2020.
The Indian government's concerns are rooted in the fact that Telegram, due to its strong privacy features and the ability to host very large groups and channels, can potentially be used for different types of illegal activities. While Telegram's founder, Pavel Durov has always maintained that privacy is a fundamental right for every human, governments however are really concerned about the platform being used for certain purposes that violate the law. On August 24, Durov was arrested by French authorities (he had just been released as I am writing this post) although the French government has stated that this was not a political decision.
The arrest was reportedly due to concerns over the misuse of Telegram and Durov has been accused of serious charges including illegal activities on Telegram. The French government is pushing for more control over the app but Durov, however, remains firm in his stance against censorship, arguing that compromising user privacy would defeat the purpose of the app.
What Does This Mean for Telegram Users?
For Telegram users in India, the ongoing investigation is worrying. Telegram is one of the most used messaging apps in my country and has millions of users. If the Indian government decides to ban the app, it will only bring gigantic disruption to a large number of communities and businesses that rely on Telegram. As a user of Telegram myself, I will be affected as not only do I use the Telegram app for messaging, but I also play games in Telegram and participate in crypto related projects. The entire tap-to-earn gaming sector which is fully built on Telegram, could be severely impacted, as well as other users who depend on the app for secure communication and content sharing. This new-age classic situation highlights the need for a balance between privacy and security.
I support both facts as I think while it is essential to prevent the misuse of technology, it is also equally important to protect the fundamental rights of users to communicate freely and securely without being watched secretly by governments or anyone else. Banning Telegram will not only hamper millions of users in my country and probably billions around the world, but also it could set a negative example that affects other platforms and raises questions about the future of digital privacy.
What Should Be Done?
I believe the only practical resolution to this issue is to find a middle ground that addresses both the concerns of governments and the privacy and security of users. I know it is crucial for governments to keep their countries safe, but rather than taking hasty steps, they should engage in meaningful conversations with technology companies to develop solutions that prevent misuse without compromising individual rights. For us as users, we should also raise our Voice for the right thing especially when it comes down to privacy and free speech. On the other hand, it is also our duty to keep it clean and report anything we see that can be harmful to us or others and spread awareness.