Key takeaways
- Telegram’s initial success was fueled by its focus on encryption and user privacy, setting it apart in an already crowded messaging app market.
- Telegram introduced groundbreaking features like end-to-end encryption, self-destructing messages and large channels, which attracted a diverse global user base.
- The platform’s commitment to privacy led to conflicts with governments worldwide, resulting in bans, scrutiny and even the arrest of its founder, Pavel Durov.
- While Telegram’s growth continues, it faces challenges from regulatory pressures and content moderation, but it remains poised to explore new technologies, including cryptocurrency.
Long-term WhatsApp users can somehow feel the freedom of signing up for Telegram, with no need to reveal their identity through the unavoidable provision of a phone number.
The app integrates additional functionalities smoothly, all while maintaining its prime directive as a quick and convenient messaging app.
Channels and stories, for example, make Telegram feel like a decentralized news hub where you can follow updates from the central bank and keep up-to-date with your 16-year-old sister’s lifestyle tips.
If you’ve got enough friends from Eastern Europe, India or the Middle East, there’s no question that you’re already on it.
However, if, like many digital socialites in the “WhatsApp West,” you haven’t used Telegram — or perhaps you haven’t even heard of it — it might come as a surprise that it’s one of the fastest-growing messaging apps on the market.
With Telegram’s rapid rise, one can’t help but wonder about the history of what could really be…
…the WhatsApp killer.
In exploring both history and controversy, this article aims to answer precisely that.
The founding of Telegram
The idea for Telegram began to take shape in 2013 after Pavel Durov left VKontakte — the social media network he co-founded — due to mounting pressure from the Russian government.
Along with his brother, Nikolai Durov, who handled the technical side, Pavel set out to build a secure and easy-to-use messaging app. The early development was fueled by a sense of urgency and purpose — Durov wanted to offer a solution to the growing concerns about online privacy.
Despite the challenge of entering an already crowded market, the Durov brothers focused on creating a product that stood out for its encryption and speed. They worked intensively, testing different protocols and features to ensure Telegram would be both innovative and reliable.
Telegram officially launched in August 2013. Initially, it didn’t make a huge splash but quickly gained traction among users who valued privacy and security. The app’s simplicity, combined with its promise of encrypted messaging, resonated with a growing audience concerned about data breaches and government surveillance.
Did you know? Durov, often called the “Russian Mark Zuckerberg,” follows a strict minimalist lifestyle, including a diet free of sugar, alcohol and meat, along with practices like intermittent fasting and barefoot running, all to optimize his physical and mental performance.
Telegram’s early development and growth
Telegram’s early growth was impressive, particularly among tech enthusiasts and privacy advocates.
By the end of 2014, just over a year after its launch, Telegram had reached 50 million active users, with one billion messages being sent daily.
Telegram’s adoption rate was driven by several key factors: The app’s focus on privacy and security was a major draw, particularly in the wake of high-profile data breaches and increasing government surveillance.
Telegram’s encryption protocols were a significant selling point, offering users a level of security not commonly found in other messaging apps at the time. Additionally, Telegram’s reliability and speed helped it stand out. By 2016, Telegram had over 100 million monthly active users, with 350,000 new users signing up each day, and users were sending 15 billion messages daily.
Telegram differentiated itself from competitors by introducing several innovative features:
- One of the earliest and most significant was end-to-end encryption for “Secret Chats,” ensuring that messages could only be read by the intended recipient.
- Another key feature was the introduction of self-destructing messages, which allowed users to set a timer for their messages to disappear after being read.
- Telegram also pioneered the use of large groups and channels, which could support thousands of members, making it a powerful tool for both private communication and public broadcasting.
Telegram’s later developments
The years following Telegram’s initial success were marked by rapid development, the introduction of new features, and increased attention from the tech community and governments worldwide. By 2018, Telegram had reached 200 million monthly active users, doubling its user base in just two years.
One of the key drivers of Telegram’s sustained growth was its continuous introduction of new and innovative features.
In 2017, Telegram introduced the concept of “supergroups,” allowing group chats to expand to 100,000 members, significantly higher than any other messaging app at the time. This made Telegram a popular choice for crypto communities, organizations and public figures who wanted to communicate with a vast audience.
Telegram also enhanced its media capabilities, allowing users to share large files (up to 1.5 gigabytes), which was a unique offering compared to other messaging apps. The platform continued to refine its bot application programming interface, enabling developers to create sophisticated bots for various purposes, from customer service to gaming.
In 2018, Telegram launched its “Passport” feature, which allowed users to securely store and share personal identification documents with services that require real-world ID verification. This feature hinted at Telegram’s ambitions beyond messaging, suggesting a future where it could serve as a broader platform for digital identity and services.
Did you know? Telegram allows users to create and share custom stickers, and its open platform has led to the creation of thousands of niche sticker packs, making it one of the most personalized messaging experiences available. Some users even monetize their custom packs through the platform’s ecosystem.
The advent of the TON blockchain
In 2018, Durov announced plans for the Telegram Open Network (TON) blockchain and its associated cryptocurrency, Gram. This move marked Telegram’s ambitious entry into the world of decentralized technology and cryptocurrency. The TON blockchain was designed to offer high scalability and speed, aiming to process millions of transactions per second, far surpassing existing blockchain platforms like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
The Gram token was intended to be used within the Telegram ecosystem for a variety of services, including payments, decentralized applications (DApps) and more. The project generated significant interest, raising $1.7 billion in a private initial coin offering (ICO) from a small group of investors.
However, the project faced legal challenges from the US Securities and Exchange Commission, which argued that Gram tokens were unregistered securities. After a lengthy legal battle, Telegram decided to abandon the TON project in 2020, returning funds to investors and marking a significant setback in its blockchain ambitions.
Despite this, the idea of integrating blockchain technology into Telegram continued to influence its development, leading to community-driven initiatives like Toncoin (TON), which aimed to continue the original vision of the TON blockchain, albeit independently from Telegram itself.
Durov’s vision
Durov’s public stance on privacy and free communication has been a defining aspect of Telegram’s identity. He has repeatedly emphasized his commitment to protecting users from government surveillance and corporate exploitation. However, this is a vision that will invariably lead to challenges along the way.
For example, in 2018, Durov famously refused to hand over encryption keys to the Russian government, leading to a nationwide ban on Telegram in Russia.
Also, in the US, Telegram faced legal scrutiny from the SEC over its attempt to launch TON.
Telegram has also faced bans and restrictions in countries like Iran and China, where governments sought to limit access to the platform due to its role in facilitating free communication and organizing protests.
In the face of such adversities, Durov’s persistence in his philosophy resonated with millions of users worldwide who view Telegram as more than just a messaging app — it’s a platform that stands for the principles of privacy and free expression.
Indeed, Durov’s outspoken views and actions have bolstered Telegram’s public image as a defender of digital rights in an increasingly monitored world.
Partly due to this, Telegram’s user base continued to proliferate, especially in regions where government censorship and surveillance were prevalent. By 2020, Telegram had surpassed 400 million monthly active users. This growth was partly fueled by concerns over privacy and data security, particularly after incidents like the Cambridge Analytica scandal that shook public trust in other social media platforms.
Telegram also became a critical tool during political unrest in several countries. For instance, it was widely used during the Hong Kong protests in 2019 and the Belarusian protests in 2020, where activists and citizens relied on Telegram to organize and communicate securely, away from government surveillance.
Did you know? Telegram’s commitment to privacy led to a confrontation with the Iranian government in 2018, resulting in a nationwide ban. Despite this, many Iranians continued to access the platform using VPNs, highlighting Telegram’s critical role in facilitating free communication under repressive regimes.
Government scrutiny
Telegram’s focus on privacy and security has drawn both praise and criticism. Its use of end-to-end encryption in Secret Chats and refusal to provide backdoors for government access has made it popular among privacy-conscious users but has also alarmed governments and security experts.
Critics argue that Telegram’s strong encryption attracts criminals and terrorists, with some governments concerned that the app is used to coordinate illegal activities, including extremist attacks.
Telegram’s content moderation has also sparked controversy. The platform’s hands-off approach has made it a hub for diverse content but has also allowed extremist content, misinformation and illegal activities to flourish. Despite efforts to remove terrorist propaganda and child exploitation material, critics say these measures are insufficient.
Public channels and groups on Telegram, some with millions of members, have been used to spread what authorities and experts term “misinformation” on critical issues like elections and vaccines, raising concerns about its impact on public discourse. Durov defends Telegram’s stance, emphasizing user privacy and freedom of expression, but growing pressure may force the platform to rethink its moderation policies.
Durov’s 2024 arrest
In August, Pavel Durov was arrested in France under a European warrant for alleged noncompliance with local data protection and encryption regulations. The arrest, likely driven by pressure from European governments critical of Telegram’s resistance to backdoors, sparked protests from privacy advocates and Telegram users worldwide.
Many viewed it as an attack on digital privacy and an attempt to silence a key advocate for free communication. The situation is ongoing, with legal experts closely watching how it unfolds and its potential impact on European digital privacy and encryption standards.
The future of Telegram
Today, Telegram is one of the world’s most popular messaging platforms, with over 700 million monthly active users as of 2024. It’s particularly strong in regions with high privacy concerns and widespread government surveillance.
Telegram’s emphasis on security and its robust feature set has secured its place as a leading communication tool globally. However, the platform continues to face significant challenges, including government scrutiny, legal battles and the need to manage harmful content while maintaining its commitment to privacy.
Looking ahead, parking the subject of Durov’s arrest, Telegram is poised to further solidify its position in the messaging landscape. The platform is likely to continue expanding its feature set, possibly integrating more advanced tools for privacy, content management and user interaction.
Additionally, despite the setbacks with the TON blockchain, Telegram may explore new opportunities in the cryptocurrency space, leveraging its large user base to drive the adoption of decentralized technologies.
However, Telegram’s growth will also depend on its ability to navigate the increasing regulatory pressures from governments worldwide.
Ultimately, as privacy concerns continue to clash with national security interests, Telegram’s potency as a “Whatsapp killer” will hinge on how it balances these competing demands without compromising its core values.
Written by Bradley Peak