Introduction
Telegram is often hailed as a secure messaging app, but how much of this reputation is based on facts? While the platform offers encryption features, critical gaps in default settings and usability raise questions about its true commitment to privacy. This article debunks common myths about Telegram’s encryption and explains why its security claims deserve scrutiny.

The Reality of Telegram’s Default Encryption
Telegram’s standard chats, known as “cloud chats,” use server-client encryption, not end-to-end encryption (E2EE). This means messages are encrypted during transmission but stored decrypted on Telegram’s servers. While this allows cross-device syncing, it also grants Telegram potential access to user content. For true privacy, users must manually enable “Secret Chats,” a feature buried in submenus and requiring both parties to be online. Unlike Signal or WhatsApp, where E2EE is automatic, Telegram’s design prioritizes convenience over security by default.

Secret Chats: A Clunky Solution for Privacy
Telegram’s Secret Chats use E2EE and employ the MTProto protocol, combining AES-256 encryption with Diffie-Hellman key exchange. However, activating this feature is cumbersome:

1. Users must navigate through multiple hidden menus.
2. Both parties must be online to establish a session.
3. Secret Chats lack cloud backups and group support.
   While technically secure, the friction in enabling E2EE means most users stick to unencrypted cloud chats, leaving sensitive data exposed.

Telegram’s Misleading Security Narrative
Despite criticisms since 2016, Telegram’s CEO continues to market the app as a privacy-first platform while downplaying its flaws. The company emphasizes its proprietary encryption but avoids industry-standard practices like default E2EE. This contradiction harms users who assume their chats are fully private.

How Telegram Compares to Signal and WhatsApp

• ​Signal: All chats are E2EE by default, with no metadata retention.
• ​WhatsApp: Default E2EE but criticized for metadata sharing with Meta.
• ​Telegram: E2EE is optional, and metadata (e.g., contacts, timestamps) remains unencrypted. For high-risk users, Signal remains the gold standard.

Conclusion
Telegram’s encryption is a double-edged sword. While its Secret Chats provide robust security, the lack of default E2EE and poor usability undermine its privacy claims. Users seeking true anonymity should opt for alternatives or rigorously enable Secret Chats and additional safeguards like two-factor authentication.