Telegram Babble
1. General Information
Q: What is Telegram?
A: A cloud-based instant messaging service.
Q: Who founded Telegram?
A: Nikolai and Pavel Durov.
Q: When was Telegram launched?
A: 2013.
Q: What company operates Telegram?
A: Telegram FZ-LLC, based in Dubai.
Q: On which platforms is Telegram available?
A: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, and web.
2. History
Q: Where were Telegram’s founders originally from?
A: Russia.
Q: Why did Pavel Durov leave Russia?
A: Disputes with authorities after refusing to hand over VKontakte user data.
Q: When did Telegram pass 200 million active users?
A: March 2018.
Q: When did Telegram reach 700 million users?
A: 2022.
3. Features – Messaging
Q: What types of chats does Telegram support?
A: Private chats, group chats, and channels.
Q: What is the maximum file size for sharing on Telegram?
A: 2 GB per file.
Q: Can Telegram sync messages across devices?
A: Yes, all messages are cloud-synced.
Q: Does Telegram support self-destructing messages?
A: Yes, via Secret Chats.
4. Features – Groups & Channels
Q: What is a Telegram group?
A: A chat with up to 200,000 members.
Q: What is a Telegram channel?
A: A broadcast tool where admins send messages to unlimited subscribers.
Q: What are Telegram Mini Apps?
A: Embedded apps inside Telegram, launched in 2022.
5. Calls & Media
Q: Does Telegram support voice and video calls?
A: Yes, one-to-one and group calls.
Q: When were video calls introduced?
A: 2020.
Q: Does Telegram have Stories?
A: Yes, launched in 2023.
6. Privacy & Security
Q: What encryption does Telegram use for normal chats?
A: MTProto, not end-to-end by default.
Q: Which chats are end-to-end encrypted?
A: Secret Chats.
Q: Where are Telegram’s servers located?
A: Distributed worldwide in multiple data centers.
Q: What unique username feature does Telegram offer?
A: Users can communicate via usernames without sharing phone numbers.
7. Bots & Customization
Q: What are Telegram bots?
A: Third-party automated accounts for tasks, services, or entertainment.
Q: When were bots introduced?
A: 2015.
Q: Does Telegram support custom stickers and emoji?
A: Yes, including animated stickers.
8. Premium & Monetization
Q: What is Telegram Premium?
A: A paid subscription launched in 2022.
Q: What benefits does Telegram Premium include?
A: Higher file upload limits (4 GB), faster downloads, premium stickers, and other extras.
Q: Does Telegram have advertising?
A: Yes, sponsored messages in large public channels.
9. Criticism & Controversies
Q: Why has Telegram been criticized?
A: Use by extremists, illegal pornography, copyright infringement, and drug sales.
Q: What did some governments demand from Telegram?
A: Access to user data and encryption keys.
Q: Why was Telegram banned in Russia (2018)?
A: For refusing to share encryption keys with authorities.
Q: What was “Telegramgate” in Puerto Rico?
A: A 2019 political scandal involving leaked Telegram messages.
Q: What happened in August 2024 regarding Telegram’s CEO?
A: Pavel Durov was arrested in France over allegations of enabling illegal content.
10. Reception & Security Debate
Q: Has Telegram faced criticism for its cryptography?
A: Yes, experts questioned MTProto compared to open standards like Signal Protocol.
Q: Did Telegram hold cryptography contests?
A: Yes, offering money to anyone who could break its encryption.
11. Market & User Base
Q: How many monthly active users did Telegram reach by 2023?
A: Over 800 million.
Q: What events caused surges in Telegram sign-ups?
A: WhatsApp outages and privacy policy controversies.
Q: Which regions is Telegram most popular in?
A: Russia, Iran, India, and parts of Europe and Latin America.
