Telegram Changes Its Approach to Advertising Personalization
The messenger has updated its advertising platform. Now, advertisements can be shown based on the user's personal data, such as user's interests and location down to the nearest city.
According to Durov's Code, interests will be analyzed based on the list of channels a user is subscribed for. Advertisers will be able to limit the audience based on location data, which Telegram determines via the user's IP address.
Advertisers will be allowed to target ads to users based on a user database gathered outside of Telegram. For example, a store can provide Telegram with its scrambled phone number database to show a special offer only to their customers.
Previously, advertisers could only customize ad audience based on public data, for instance, displaying an ad only on finance-themed channels.
The new changes allow more frequent displays of more relevant ads, meaning you will start seeing finance-related ads in other unrelated channels if Telegram's algorithms think that you are interested in finance.
This same approach is used by other companies such as Google. Even though advertisers still will not receive raw information about the user, personal data is now involved in personalization.
Advertisers will be able to indirectly determine your affiliation to a user group only if you click on the ad link. If you ignore the ad, no data will be transferred.
According to Durov's Code, Telegram also plans to display advertisements on large private channels that misuse link access settings for profit.
The messenger has updated its advertising platform. Now, advertisements can be shown based on the user's personal data, such as user's interests and location down to the nearest city.
According to Durov's Code, interests will be analyzed based on the list of channels a user is subscribed for. Advertisers will be able to limit the audience based on location data, which Telegram determines via the user's IP address.
Advertisers will be allowed to target ads to users based on a user database gathered outside of Telegram. For example, a store can provide Telegram with its scrambled phone number database to show a special offer only to their customers.
Previously, advertisers could only customize ad audience based on public data, for instance, displaying an ad only on finance-themed channels.
The new changes allow more frequent displays of more relevant ads, meaning you will start seeing finance-related ads in other unrelated channels if Telegram's algorithms think that you are interested in finance.
This same approach is used by other companies such as Google. Even though advertisers still will not receive raw information about the user, personal data is now involved in personalization.
Advertisers will be able to indirectly determine your affiliation to a user group only if you click on the ad link. If you ignore the ad, no data will be transferred.
According to Durov's Code, Telegram also plans to display advertisements on large private channels that misuse link access settings for profit.
Telegram Info English
Telegram Changes Its Approach to Advertising Personalization The messenger has updated its advertising platform. Now, advertisements can be shown based on the user's personal data, such as user's interests and location down to the nearest city. According…
Enhanced Targeting is Available Only in Certain Countries
In the updated Privacy Policy, Telegram reports that the new features of the advertising platform are only operational in certain countries. Telegram does not provide a list of the countries to which the latest changes apply. The need to comply with territorial restrictions during advertising display in countries with a large number of Russian-speaking channels is cited as the reason.
The @tginfo team has determined that the new edition of the Privacy Policy is visible from IP addresses in Russia and Ukraine. Telegram representative have not yet responded to our request for the full list of countries.
The new features of the Ad Platform are location targeting with precision up to the nearest city, determining user interests based on the list of channels the user is subscribed to, and the ability to limit the audience based on a user database collected outside Telegram.
Advertisements will only be displayed on large channels (from 1,000 subscribers).
Telegram clarifies that for users with Premium subscriptions, personal data will not be processed for the purpose of personalized advertising.
In the updated Privacy Policy, Telegram reports that the new features of the advertising platform are only operational in certain countries. Telegram does not provide a list of the countries to which the latest changes apply. The need to comply with territorial restrictions during advertising display in countries with a large number of Russian-speaking channels is cited as the reason.
The @tginfo team has determined that the new edition of the Privacy Policy is visible from IP addresses in Russia and Ukraine. Telegram representative have not yet responded to our request for the full list of countries.
The new features of the Ad Platform are location targeting with precision up to the nearest city, determining user interests based on the list of channels the user is subscribed to, and the ability to limit the audience based on a user database collected outside Telegram.
Advertisements will only be displayed on large channels (from 1,000 subscribers).
Telegram clarifies that for users with Premium subscriptions, personal data will not be processed for the purpose of personalized advertising.
Telegram Info English
How often do you use the Archive feature in Telegram?
Telegram Changes Archive's Behavior
According to the messenger's representatives, a bug was fixed which influenced Archive's behavior: now if a notification occurs in an archived chat, it won't leave the Archive if it's explicitly included in one of the custom folders.
If the chat is included in a folder by the automatic filter by chat type, it will continue leaving the Archive.
On the Telegram's suggestions platform, a moderator warns that this behavior might change in future again.
According to the messenger's representatives, a bug was fixed which influenced Archive's behavior: now if a notification occurs in an archived chat, it won't leave the Archive if it's explicitly included in one of the custom folders.
If the chat is included in a folder by the automatic filter by chat type, it will continue leaving the Archive.
On the Telegram's suggestions platform, a moderator warns that this behavior might change in future again.
Privacy Settings for Bio
A mention for Bio privacy settings appeared on Telegram's Translations platform, the new setting will allow you to choose which users can see your bio displayed on your profile:
"Who can see my bio"
Likely, this feature will come in the next update.
A mention for Bio privacy settings appeared on Telegram's Translations platform, the new setting will allow you to choose which users can see your bio displayed on your profile:
"Who can see my bio"
Likely, this feature will come in the next update.
800 million monthly active users in Telegram
Pavel Durov told that over 2.5 million new users signing up for Telegram every day, and earlier this year Telegram has surpassed 800 million monthly active users.
While not yet profitable (which would be impossible to reach on just the second year of monetization), Telegram is closer to profitability in absolute numbers than its competitors such as Twitter and Snap.
To support growth and to reach the break-even point, Telegram issued around $270 million worth of bonds this week. About a quarter of them was bought by Durov himself.
"Some people suggested I should have instead bought a house or a jet. But I prefer to stay focused on my work, without “owning” anything (well, apart from Telegram, some Bitcoin and some Toncoin)".
#statistics
Pavel Durov told that over 2.5 million new users signing up for Telegram every day, and earlier this year Telegram has surpassed 800 million monthly active users.
While not yet profitable (which would be impossible to reach on just the second year of monetization), Telegram is closer to profitability in absolute numbers than its competitors such as Twitter and Snap.
To support growth and to reach the break-even point, Telegram issued around $270 million worth of bonds this week. About a quarter of them was bought by Durov himself.
"Some people suggested I should have instead bought a house or a jet. But I prefer to stay focused on my work, without “owning” anything (well, apart from Telegram, some Bitcoin and some Toncoin)".
#statistics
Posting Stories Only for Telegram Premium Users
Telegram's Translations platform added the following line:
Posting stories is currently available only to subscribers of Telegram Premium
From the wording, it seems that initially only Premium users will be able to post stories, and later the feature will become available to all users.
This might change at release, since this is just our speculation from Telegram's app strings.
#stories
Telegram's Translations platform added the following line:
Posting stories is currently available only to subscribers of Telegram Premium
From the wording, it seems that initially only Premium users will be able to post stories, and later the feature will become available to all users.
This might change at release, since this is just our speculation from Telegram's app strings.
#stories
Premium owners will have access to a wider range of story self-destruction options
The Telegram Translations platform added a mention of extended self-destruction options available only to Premium owners. Users with a subscription will be able to set timers for story self-destruction to values that are not available to free users.
#stories
The Telegram Translations platform added a mention of extended self-destruction options available only to Premium owners. Users with a subscription will be able to set timers for story self-destruction to values that are not available to free users.
#stories
How will Telegram Stories work and what will they feature
The @tginfo editorial team has analyzed new strings on the Telegram translations platform and speculates on how stories will work:
• It seems like on the initial launch only Premium users will be able to publish Stories, and wider availability coming later.
• Stories will have a dual-camera recording feature, allowing simultaneous use of the main and front cameras.
• Users will be able to mention (@username) people in their stories. Mentioned users will receive notifications.
• Unfinished stories can be saved as drafts.
• Stories can have text captions.
• Users will have control over the lifespan of their stories. Certain self-destruction options will be available only to Premium users.
• Stories can be archived and restored from the archive.
• Stories can be pinned to the profile until manually removed.
• Stories can have custom emojis in their stories, and a button will be displayed to save the displayed emoji pack.
• It seems like stories can be edited after publication.
• There will be a limit on the number of stories that can be published within 24 hours.
• Story owners will be able to view a list of views (this list will disappear 24 hours after the story is hidden from the public).
• You can restrict downloading, screenshots, and screen recording tools.
• Story privacy options: close friends list, public, contacts only.
• If you make a story available only to close friends, the users added to this category will be notified.
• You can disable replies to stories.
• You can reply to stories in private.
• You can forward stories.
• Stories can be zoomed in by pinching the screen.
• You will be able to enable notifications for new stories.
• Telegram will suggest enabling notifications for new stories from the five users you interact with most frequently.
It is important to note that all information is based on strings from the translations platform, so the story mechanism may undergo some changes before its release.
#stories
The @tginfo editorial team has analyzed new strings on the Telegram translations platform and speculates on how stories will work:
• It seems like on the initial launch only Premium users will be able to publish Stories, and wider availability coming later.
• Stories will have a dual-camera recording feature, allowing simultaneous use of the main and front cameras.
• Users will be able to mention (@username) people in their stories. Mentioned users will receive notifications.
• Unfinished stories can be saved as drafts.
• Stories can have text captions.
• Users will have control over the lifespan of their stories. Certain self-destruction options will be available only to Premium users.
• Stories can be archived and restored from the archive.
• Stories can be pinned to the profile until manually removed.
• Stories can have custom emojis in their stories, and a button will be displayed to save the displayed emoji pack.
• It seems like stories can be edited after publication.
• There will be a limit on the number of stories that can be published within 24 hours.
• Story owners will be able to view a list of views (this list will disappear 24 hours after the story is hidden from the public).
• You can restrict downloading, screenshots, and screen recording tools.
• Story privacy options: close friends list, public, contacts only.
• If you make a story available only to close friends, the users added to this category will be notified.
• You can disable replies to stories.
• You can reply to stories in private.
• You can forward stories.
• Stories can be zoomed in by pinching the screen.
• You will be able to enable notifications for new stories.
• Telegram will suggest enabling notifications for new stories from the five users you interact with most frequently.
It is important to note that all information is based on strings from the translations platform, so the story mechanism may undergo some changes before its release.
#stories
Telegram Info English
Telegram Changes Archive's Behavior According to the messenger's representatives, a bug was fixed which influenced Archive's behavior: now if a notification occurs in an archived chat, it won't leave the Archive if it's explicitly included in one of the custom…
New Archive settings in Telegram
More flexible Archive settings will be added in the coming update. Our editors noticed following options in strings on Telegram's Translation platform:
• Option to prevent all unmuted chats from leaving the archive on new notification.
• Option to prevent chats included into one the custom folders from leaving the archive on new notification.
Right now, if the chat is included in a folder by the automatic filter by chat type, it will continue leaving the archive. We are not sure if this will change in the coming update.
More flexible Archive settings will be added in the coming update. Our editors noticed following options in strings on Telegram's Translation platform:
• Option to prevent all unmuted chats from leaving the archive on new notification.
• Option to prevent chats included into one the custom folders from leaving the archive on new notification.
Right now, if the chat is included in a folder by the automatic filter by chat type, it will continue leaving the archive. We are not sure if this will change in the coming update.
Telegram Info English
Telegram statistics outage Group and channel admins are reporting that stats are not loading. Instead of the usual graphs and data, the app shows the message "Loading stats", but the data itself does not appear even after a long wait. The problem seems to…
Telegram Info English
How will Telegram Stories work and what will they feature The @tginfo editorial team has analyzed new strings on the Telegram translations platform and speculates on how stories will work: • It seems like on the initial launch only Premium users will be…
More information about the upcoming update in Telegram
The code update in the official repository of Telegram Desktop on GitHub has provided more details regarding the upcoming update in addition to the list we previously published:
• Changelogs in stories
In future Telegram updates, the platform is likely to start sharing its changelogs in the form of stories.
• Different limits for Telegram Premium owners and regular users
Story caption: 200 characters for regular users and 2048 characters for Telegram Premium owners.
Story self-destruct timer: We are still not certain, but it seems that it will be possible to set a lifespan for stories up to 30 days (or hours, as there is no exact information yet) for regular users and up to 100 days for Premium users. There are no screenshots on the translation platform that include such values.
• Ability to report stories
Stories will be displayed on user profiles. In the stories themselves, it will be possible to mention (@username) other users, who will receive corresponding notifications. In order to prevent abuse of this feature, the messenger's team will add violation reporting functionality for stories.
• New format for in-app advertising
A new advertising format will be introduced in channels (not in stories): image + text + link. The link can also lead to an external resource, for which Telegram will add click tracking for advertising links.
It is important to note that all information is based on assumptions from the API schema, so the story mechanism may undergo some changes before the release.
#stories #aboutAds
The code update in the official repository of Telegram Desktop on GitHub has provided more details regarding the upcoming update in addition to the list we previously published:
• Changelogs in stories
In future Telegram updates, the platform is likely to start sharing its changelogs in the form of stories.
• Different limits for Telegram Premium owners and regular users
Story caption: 200 characters for regular users and 2048 characters for Telegram Premium owners.
Story self-destruct timer: We are still not certain, but it seems that it will be possible to set a lifespan for stories up to 30 days (or hours, as there is no exact information yet) for regular users and up to 100 days for Premium users. There are no screenshots on the translation platform that include such values.
• Ability to report stories
Stories will be displayed on user profiles. In the stories themselves, it will be possible to mention (@username) other users, who will receive corresponding notifications. In order to prevent abuse of this feature, the messenger's team will add violation reporting functionality for stories.
• New format for in-app advertising
A new advertising format will be introduced in channels (not in stories): image + text + link. The link can also lead to an external resource, for which Telegram will add click tracking for advertising links.
It is important to note that all information is based on assumptions from the API schema, so the story mechanism may undergo some changes before the release.
#stories #aboutAds
Stories — already in Telegram!
This month, uploading stories is only available to users with a Telegram Premium subscription.
It is known that no more than 100 stories can be uploaded per day, and reactions to the published "stories" comes to private chat with their author.
The new version can already be downloaded from the links below:
Android: Google Play, APK from official website or verified channel.
iOS: App Store.
Desktop: from the official site or from GitHub.
macOS: App Store, from the official website or from a verified channel.
Unigram for Windows 10+: Microsoft Store | Direct download | Installation instructions
This month, uploading stories is only available to users with a Telegram Premium subscription.
It is known that no more than 100 stories can be uploaded per day, and reactions to the published "stories" comes to private chat with their author.
The new version can already be downloaded from the links below:
Android: Google Play, APK from official website or verified channel.
iOS: App Store.
Desktop: from the official site or from GitHub.
macOS: App Store, from the official website or from a verified channel.
Unigram for Windows 10+: Microsoft Store | Direct download | Installation instructions
Removing Stories From the Chat List
While it is currently not possible to completely hide the stories section, you can hide stories of specific users.
Option 1
In the stories section, tap and hold someone’s profile picture, then choose “Hide Stories”. This moves their stories to the Archive so you no longer see them.
To unhide the stories, just go to the archived chats, tap and hold the user’s profile picture again, and choose “Unhide Stories”.
Option 2
Open the user’s profile, and remove them as a contact.
Note that their stories might reappear if you have contact synchronization turned on and they are in your phone’s contacts. To make sure they won’t reappear, either remove the user from your phone’s contacts, or completely disable contact synchronization in Settings > Privacy.
#FAQ #stories
While it is currently not possible to completely hide the stories section, you can hide stories of specific users.
Option 1
In the stories section, tap and hold someone’s profile picture, then choose “Hide Stories”. This moves their stories to the Archive so you no longer see them.
To unhide the stories, just go to the archived chats, tap and hold the user’s profile picture again, and choose “Unhide Stories”.
Option 2
Open the user’s profile, and remove them as a contact.
Note that their stories might reappear if you have contact synchronization turned on and they are in your phone’s contacts. To make sure they won’t reappear, either remove the user from your phone’s contacts, or completely disable contact synchronization in Settings > Privacy.
#FAQ #stories
The Advertisement Platform Testing Phase Is Supposedly Over
Recently, a paragraph in the explanation of Sponsored Messages was removed which was indicating that the feature is currently under testing:
Sponsored Messages are currently in test mode. Once they are fully launched and allow Telegram to cover its basic costs, we will start sharing ad revenue with the owners of public channels in which Sponsored Messages are displayed.
To view this explanation yourself, find any sponsored message, click the “Sponsored” label, and choose “What are sponsored messages?”.
We are currently unaware of any plans for sharing ad revenue with public channel owners.
#aboutAds
Recently, a paragraph in the explanation of Sponsored Messages was removed which was indicating that the feature is currently under testing:
Sponsored Messages are currently in test mode. Once they are fully launched and allow Telegram to cover its basic costs, we will start sharing ad revenue with the owners of public channels in which Sponsored Messages are displayed.
To view this explanation yourself, find any sponsored message, click the “Sponsored” label, and choose “What are sponsored messages?”.
We are currently unaware of any plans for sharing ad revenue with public channel owners.
#aboutAds
Telegram Info English
Reacting as Groups and Channels Currently, you can send messages on behalf of your groups and channels, but your reactions will still be on behalf of your personal account. In the upcoming version of Telegram, you will be able to make your reactions on behalf…
Reactions on behalf of channels
Now, on behalf of your public channels, you can not only send messages to public groups but also leave reactions under them, as well as participate in polls.
To act on behalf of a channel, select a channel you own to the left of the message input line. When a channel is selected, all reactions and votes will be sent on behalf of that channel.
You cannot mix reactions on your behalf and your channels. For example, if you first put a reaction on your behalf, and then the second on behalf of the channel, then the first reaction will change its author to the channel.
Reactions on behalf of chats are also available, but only for the chat creator. To do this, the chat owner must give himself the right to anonymity, then he will be able not only to leave anonymous messages but also to put anonymous reactions.
#reactions #premium
Now, on behalf of your public channels, you can not only send messages to public groups but also leave reactions under them, as well as participate in polls.
To act on behalf of a channel, select a channel you own to the left of the message input line. When a channel is selected, all reactions and votes will be sent on behalf of that channel.
You cannot mix reactions on your behalf and your channels. For example, if you first put a reaction on your behalf, and then the second on behalf of the channel, then the first reaction will change its author to the channel.
Reactions on behalf of chats are also available, but only for the chat creator. To do this, the chat owner must give himself the right to anonymity, then he will be able not only to leave anonymous messages but also to put anonymous reactions.
#reactions #premium
Telegram Stories and Foursquare
In the server configuration of Telegram, a new parameter named
Foursquare is a service that provides information about places and attractions. In the messenger apps, this service's bot is used in the Interface Attachment Menu > Location.
The Telegram Info team suggests that this parameter could be related to the future ability to add geotags to stories.
Whether it will be possible to create your own bots to work with stories in Telegram is unknown.
#stories
In the server configuration of Telegram, a new parameter named
stories_venue_search_username appeared, which mentions the username of the official bot @foursquare. This may be a hint for geolocalization widgets support in stories.Foursquare is a service that provides information about places and attractions. In the messenger apps, this service's bot is used in the Interface Attachment Menu > Location.
The Telegram Info team suggests that this parameter could be related to the future ability to add geotags to stories.
Whether it will be possible to create your own bots to work with stories in Telegram is unknown.
#stories
Telegram Data Center Is Unstable
Some of our subscribers have reported that DC2 has been unstable for more than two hours starting 15:00 UTC. They have noticed that comments take a longer time to load, the “Connecting...” indicator being displayed too often, and a number of other issues.
Pinging DC2 results in a clearly increased response time, and even lost packets.
#outages
Some of our subscribers have reported that DC2 has been unstable for more than two hours starting 15:00 UTC. They have noticed that comments take a longer time to load, the “Connecting...” indicator being displayed too often, and a number of other issues.
Pinging DC2 results in a clearly increased response time, and even lost packets.
#outages
Telegram X Android updated to stable version 0.25.6.1647
What's new:
— Added built-in translation tool: Settings — Language — Translation.
— Advanced text formatting and draft translation.
— View and Set Emoji Status if you have Telegram Premium subscription.
Fixed:
— Peer-to-peer voice calls now rely on the new library, which fixes issues when calling people with an iOS-based device and improves quality
— In-app YouTube player now works through web frame, as Google has dropped native player support
— Telegram X now relies on fully public & reproducible TDLib version & OpenSSL 1.1.1u
— Bugfixes and improvements.
Read more about this update in the article: telegra.ph/Telegram-X-08-02
Download from Google Play, or now from official channel @tgx_log.
#android #telegramX #update
What's new:
— Added built-in translation tool: Settings — Language — Translation.
— Advanced text formatting and draft translation.
— View and Set Emoji Status if you have Telegram Premium subscription.
Fixed:
— Peer-to-peer voice calls now rely on the new library, which fixes issues when calling people with an iOS-based device and improves quality
— In-app YouTube player now works through web frame, as Google has dropped native player support
— Telegram X now relies on fully public & reproducible TDLib version & OpenSSL 1.1.1u
— Bugfixes and improvements.
Read more about this update in the article: telegra.ph/Telegram-X-08-02
Download from Google Play, or now from official channel @tgx_log.
#android #telegramX #update
Telegram Banned in Iraq
The Iraqi Ministry of Communications announced that they are banning access to Telegram for reasons related to “national security”.
In the statement the ministry points out that the government tried to contact Telegram multiple times to establish cooperation around blocking Iraqi citizen sensitive info leaks, but the messenger never responded.
The Ministry of Communications affirms its respect for citizens' rights to freedom of expression and communication, without compromising the security of the state and its institutions, and expresses its confidence in citizens' understanding of this measure [banning Telegram]. — The Iraqi Ministry of Communications
In the regions of Iraq where Telegram is banned, Telegram has been gaining popularity over Facebook products (WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram Direct). Iraqi state representatives are still publishing news to Telegram regardless of the ban. Some have already announced their migration to alternative platforms.
Users from Iraq have been reporting connectivity issues since yesterday, they are still able to circumvent the ban with proxies and VPNs. There is also an increasing number of reports on DownDetector regarding this.
The DownDetector reports not only come from Iraq, but also from countries which are near it: Georgia and Turkey. Twitter users from Iraq, Georgia, and Turkey are reporting Telegram connectivity issues, too. The cause of the issues in Georgia and Turkey is still unclear. It may be that the ban in one country has affected others because of the cross-dependent Internet infrastructure in countries located close to each other — cases like these have happened before.
One of the main reasons for the ban is the numerous data leaks of Iraqi citizens from government databases that were distributed on Telegram and other platforms since then. The government might be trying to seize access to the leaked data, prevent criticism, or pressure Telegram into cooperation.
#Iraq #bans
The Iraqi Ministry of Communications announced that they are banning access to Telegram for reasons related to “national security”.
In the statement the ministry points out that the government tried to contact Telegram multiple times to establish cooperation around blocking Iraqi citizen sensitive info leaks, but the messenger never responded.
The Ministry of Communications affirms its respect for citizens' rights to freedom of expression and communication, without compromising the security of the state and its institutions, and expresses its confidence in citizens' understanding of this measure [banning Telegram]. — The Iraqi Ministry of Communications
In the regions of Iraq where Telegram is banned, Telegram has been gaining popularity over Facebook products (WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram Direct). Iraqi state representatives are still publishing news to Telegram regardless of the ban. Some have already announced their migration to alternative platforms.
Users from Iraq have been reporting connectivity issues since yesterday, they are still able to circumvent the ban with proxies and VPNs. There is also an increasing number of reports on DownDetector regarding this.
The DownDetector reports not only come from Iraq, but also from countries which are near it: Georgia and Turkey. Twitter users from Iraq, Georgia, and Turkey are reporting Telegram connectivity issues, too. The cause of the issues in Georgia and Turkey is still unclear. It may be that the ban in one country has affected others because of the cross-dependent Internet infrastructure in countries located close to each other — cases like these have happened before.
One of the main reasons for the ban is the numerous data leaks of Iraqi citizens from government databases that were distributed on Telegram and other platforms since then. The government might be trying to seize access to the leaked data, prevent criticism, or pressure Telegram into cooperation.
#Iraq #bans
MIUI identifies Telegram as a dangerous app
Xiaomi's new MIUI security feature has identified Telegram as a dangerous app.
The new feature, which was launched in China in February 2022, scans sideloaded apps "for security vulnerabilities and illegal content".
If an app is found to contain malware or other harmful content, MIUI will force users to uninstall it. There are claims that the incident also gets reported to Chinese police, but there's no clear evidence on that.
The scanner claims Telegram contains fraudulent content, and thus must not be used.
Listing Telegram as a dangerous app is probably another sign of the Chinese government's crackdown on free speech and privacy. In recent years, the Chinese government has blocked or limited access to an increasing number of websites and apps, including Facebook, Twitter, and Google.
#xiaomi #censorship
Xiaomi's new MIUI security feature has identified Telegram as a dangerous app.
The new feature, which was launched in China in February 2022, scans sideloaded apps "for security vulnerabilities and illegal content".
If an app is found to contain malware or other harmful content, MIUI will force users to uninstall it. There are claims that the incident also gets reported to Chinese police, but there's no clear evidence on that.
The scanner claims Telegram contains fraudulent content, and thus must not be used.
Listing Telegram as a dangerous app is probably another sign of the Chinese government's crackdown on free speech and privacy. In recent years, the Chinese government has blocked or limited access to an increasing number of websites and apps, including Facebook, Twitter, and Google.
#xiaomi #censorship