Forwarded from Pavel Durov
Since my last post, the already massive influx of new users to Telegram has only accelerated. We may be witnessing the largest digital migration in human history.
Following this global phenomenon, two presidents started their Telegram channels:
The President of Brazil – @jairbolsonarobrasil
The President of Turkey – @RTErdogan
They join a list of other heads of state already present on the platform:
The President of Mexico – @PresidenteAMLO
The President of France – @emmanuelmacron
The Prime Minster of Singapore – @leehsienloong
The President of Ukraine – @V_Zelenskiy_official
The President of Uzbekistan – @shmirziyoyev
The President of Taiwan – @iingtw
The Prime Minister of Ethiopia – @AbiyAhmedAliofficial
The Prime Minister of Israel – @bnetanyahu
(Note that such verified accounts typically show a blue check mark in your chat list and search results.)
We are honored that political leaders, as well as numerous public organizations, rely on Telegram to combat misinformation and spread awareness about important issues in their societies.
Unlike other networks, Telegram doesn’t use nontransparent algorithms to decide whether a subscriber will see content they subscribed to or not. As a result, Telegram channels are the only direct way for opinion leaders to reliably connect with their audiences.
By removing the manipulative algorithms that have become synonymous with 2010s technology platforms, Telegram channels restore transparency and integrity to public “one-to-many” communication.
Following this global phenomenon, two presidents started their Telegram channels:
The President of Brazil – @jairbolsonarobrasil
The President of Turkey – @RTErdogan
They join a list of other heads of state already present on the platform:
The President of Mexico – @PresidenteAMLO
The President of France – @emmanuelmacron
The Prime Minster of Singapore – @leehsienloong
The President of Ukraine – @V_Zelenskiy_official
The President of Uzbekistan – @shmirziyoyev
The President of Taiwan – @iingtw
The Prime Minister of Ethiopia – @AbiyAhmedAliofficial
The Prime Minister of Israel – @bnetanyahu
(Note that such verified accounts typically show a blue check mark in your chat list and search results.)
We are honored that political leaders, as well as numerous public organizations, rely on Telegram to combat misinformation and spread awareness about important issues in their societies.
Unlike other networks, Telegram doesn’t use nontransparent algorithms to decide whether a subscriber will see content they subscribed to or not. As a result, Telegram channels are the only direct way for opinion leaders to reliably connect with their audiences.
By removing the manipulative algorithms that have become synonymous with 2010s technology platforms, Telegram channels restore transparency and integrity to public “one-to-many” communication.
Forwarded from Pavel Durov
I’ve been taking part in the discussion in the comments and answering questions. Here are some of the responses:
On Apple-Google censorship https://t.me/durovschat/518801
On making server-side code open https://t.me/durovschat/515221
On a privacy-conscious ad platform https://t.me/durovschat/527441
On US-based encrypted apps https://t.me/durovschat/519187
On encryption vs. usability when using Secret Chats vs Cloud Chats https://t.me/durovschat/527081
On maximising security of communication https://t.me/durovschat/527134
On storing hashed phone numbers https://t.me/durovschat/551030
On how Telegram stores data https://t.me/durovschat/544164
On Apple-Google censorship https://t.me/durovschat/518801
On making server-side code open https://t.me/durovschat/515221
On a privacy-conscious ad platform https://t.me/durovschat/527441
On US-based encrypted apps https://t.me/durovschat/519187
On encryption vs. usability when using Secret Chats vs Cloud Chats https://t.me/durovschat/527081
On maximising security of communication https://t.me/durovschat/527134
On storing hashed phone numbers https://t.me/durovschat/551030
On how Telegram stores data https://t.me/durovschat/544164
Forwarded from Du Rove's Chat (Pavel)
Exactly, I’m also puzzled by folks who even mention server-side code in this context. Publishing the server code doesn’t guarantee privacy, because - unlike with the client-side code - there’s no way to verify that the same code is run on the servers.
And you don’t even need the server-side code to check the integrity of Secret Chats - they are solid regardless of how the servers function (that’s the whole point). In other words, publishing server-side code won’t help verify Secret or Cloud Chats, and would constitute a marketing gimmick that has nothing to do with security.
So why not publish the server code anyway, even if it is only a publicity stunt? 3 years ago I learnt that an authoritarian regime (you may guess which) was looking for a way to obtain Telegram’s server code. Their plan was to launch their own equally convenient local app and then to shut down all other social media in the country.
After having heard that I put our plans to publish the server code on hold. I didn’t want to provide dictators with tools to enslave their population - that shouldn’t be the legacy of Telegram. We are not ready to betray our values because a few confused users seem to think publishing server-side code will somehow improve verifiability.
And you don’t even need the server-side code to check the integrity of Secret Chats - they are solid regardless of how the servers function (that’s the whole point). In other words, publishing server-side code won’t help verify Secret or Cloud Chats, and would constitute a marketing gimmick that has nothing to do with security.
Me: The code of Telegram apps is open. It is verifiable. No other app has verifiable builds on all mobile platforms. WhatsApp’s code is hidden and intentionally obfuscated.
Confused user: You are lying, your server code is not open! 🤬
Me:So why not publish the server code anyway, even if it is only a publicity stunt? 3 years ago I learnt that an authoritarian regime (you may guess which) was looking for a way to obtain Telegram’s server code. Their plan was to launch their own equally convenient local app and then to shut down all other social media in the country.
After having heard that I put our plans to publish the server code on hold. I didn’t want to provide dictators with tools to enslave their population - that shouldn’t be the legacy of Telegram. We are not ready to betray our values because a few confused users seem to think publishing server-side code will somehow improve verifiability.