Is Telegram Encrypted? The True Investigation for Your Privacy

Telegram is considered one of the most secure messaging app, offering all modern methods to protect data, as well as tools to prevent hacking and data leakage.

Besides, Telegram privacy settings is often compared to Signal, another popular messenger that is chosen for anonymous and secure communication. However, the important difference between them is end-to-end encryption. While Signal offers this encryption method by default for all chats, Telegram uses end-to-end encryption only for secret chats.

Then the question arises: Is Telegram encrypted? Is it possible to use Telegram and not worry about your own data? How can you set up Telegram for maximum security? Let’s consider all these topics in the article.

*Discover: How to Recover Banned Telegram Account? The Working Ways to Gain Access Again.

What Type of Encryption Does Telegram Use?

Telegram, unlike many other popular messengers, has its own encryption protocol Telegram, MTProto encryption that ensures the world-renowned security and data protection when using the messenger. However, the Telegram data privacy protocol works with different types of chats in different ways:

• Regular chat. In regular chats, all messages are encrypted using the client-server encryption model. Messages are encrypted between the user’s device and Telegram servers, and then stored on these servers in encrypted form. This allows you to synchronize correspondence between devices, but theoretically, Telegram has access to messages.
• Secret chat. Secret chat Telegram uses end-to-end encryption — messages are encrypted so that only the sender and recipient can read them — even Telegram does not have access to them.

That is, by default, not all Telegram chats are end-to-end. To provide additional security, you must manually start private Telegram chats — the secret chats, which will be equipped with maximum end-to-end encryption.

Does Nicegram Use Encryption?

Nicegram is an alternative Telegram client with advanced features. It offers more privacy settings, chat filters, multiple accounts, and access to hidden content.

Nicegram, like Telegram, uses the same MTProto encryption protocol. It means that encryption in Nicegram is the same as in Telegram: regular chats are not end-to-end, and end-to-end encryption is only available in secret chats.

However, Nicegram’s security is better than Telegram’s due to additional privacy features: chat hiding, password protection, antispam filters, and flexible access settings. This makes Nicegram more convenient for those who want more control over their personal data.

Download Nicegram to assure its privacy and data security.

Secret Chats on Telegram: Features & Security

Telegram, in addition to regular chats, offers unique secure secret chats, access to which is strictly limited: the participants of this chat have it, and no one else. For protection, secret chats are equipped with end-to-end encryption, which reliably protects chat data, even from Telegram and its developers.

End-to-end encryption of secret chats in Telegram works simply: messages do not pass through the cloud and are not synchronized between devices. The chat is only available on the device where it was created. That is, if the chat was created in a mobile application, then the user will not be able to find it on the desktop version.

Here are a few more features of such chats:

• Self-destruct timer — auto-delete messages after a set time.
• Screenshot notifications.
• Messages cannot be forwarded or saved.

Thus, secret chats offer the maximum level of privacy in Telegram.

How to Open a Secret Chat

It is possible to create a secret chat only through mobile messenger apps, as this option is not available in the web and desktop versions. Next, let’s take a step-by-step look at how to create a secret chat on Android and iOS.

1. Open Telegram.
2. Click on the needed contact to start a chat.
3. Click on his/her name.
4. More or three dots.
5. Start Secret Chat.
6. Confirm the action and wait for approval from another person.

This guide is suitable for both Android and iOS.

Group Chats on Telegram: Encryption Issues

Telegram receives the main negative reviews due to problems with encryption in group chats due to the high Telegram hack risk, or rather, the fact that it is not end-to-end by default. Instead, Telegram uses a standard client-server encryption model, where data is protected during transmission but stored on Telegram servers. This means that almost anyone interested can access encrypted group chats.

However, Telegram has its own reason for not using end-to-end encryption for group chats. It lies in the fact that this approach allows you to quickly synchronize messages between all devices and group members. At the same time, put users in danger in the form of data leaks.

The True Comparison of Telegram vs. WhatsApp vs. Signal

Telegram is often compared to such popular messengers as Telegram vs. WhatsApp and Telegram vs. Signal. However, all the options differ and are suitable for different tasks. Here is a comparison of these messengers based on their main characteristics:

Features	Telegram	WhatsApp	Signal
Default encryption	Client-server (end-to-end — only in Secret Chats).	End-to-end for all chats.	End-to-end always and everywhere.
Message storage	In the cloud (convenient but with risks).	Locally + backups (may not be encrypted).	Only on the device, without the cloud.
Privacy and metadata	Collects some of the metadata.	Owned by Meta — collects a lot of data.	Minimal data, does not store contacts and correspondence.
Functions	The most functional (bots, channels, or large groups).	Basic functionality.	Fewer functions but maximum protection.

Thus, the choice depends on the goal:

• Features and convenience — Telegram is suitable.
• Mass compatibility — choose WhatsApp.
• Maximum privacy and data protection — Signal is the best choice.

Can Anyone Hack Telegram?

Fortunately, there have been no reports of hacking Telegram as a platform yet. However, individual accounts have been hacked hundreds of times. This was usually done through SMS interception, phishing, or SIM card substitution. At the same time, Telegram does not bear any responsibility for such hacks, because the fault lies entirely with the user who did not take security measures on their own.

In addition, Telegram has many vulnerabilities that are quickly closed by developers. Such vulnerabilities are found by ordinary users and reported to tech support, from where this information is promptly reviewed and analyzed. After that, the developers are working on improving the platform.

Do not forget about the importance of using secret chats, as they have end-to-end encryption, unlike regular ones. Therefore, their use reduces the risk of data leakage or any kind of interference in personal life.

Tips & Tricks on How to Make Your Telegram Encryption As Secure As Possible

If you want to use Telegram as securely as possible for yourself and your data, then follow the tips below:

• Use secret chats instead or regular ones.
• Enable two-factor authentication.
• Avoid using public Wi-Fi or VPN.
• Use only a complex password and change it as often as possible.
• Update your Telegram regularly.
• Do not follow unfamiliar links.
• Do not trust strangers.

Remember that your safety is only in your hands.

Conclusion: Is Telegram The Best Choice to Ensure Your Privacy?

Telegram is a balance between convenience and basic security: regular chats are encrypted but not end-to-end. This is enough for most users.

However, if complete privacy is important to you, use secret chats or consider alternatives with default end-to-end encryption, such as Signal.

F.A.Q.

Is Telegram Really Encrypted?

Telegram has encryption but it differs from the chat type: regular chats are encrypted between the client and the server; secret chats are end-to-end encryption.

However, your correspondence can be stored on Telegram servers by default.

Can Developers of Telegram See My Personal Messages and Chats?

When using regular chats, developers can view messages, as they are stored on Telegram servers and do not have strong encryption. However, when using secret chats, access to conversations is protected by end-to-end encryption, and only the participants have access to them.

Are Video Calls Really Encrypted on Telegram?

Unlike chats, Telegram video calls are protected by end-to-end encryption. This means that only the participants in the encrypted calls Telegram can see and hear each other — even Telegram does not have access to them.