How Secure is Telegram? Myths vs Reality (2025 Review)

The question “How secure is Telegram?” has become one of the most searched tech queries in 2025. With over 900 million active users, this messaging app has gained immense popularity for its speed, cloud-based storage, and privacy-focused branding. But the truth is — not everything that looks secure is necessarily bulletproof.

Telegram has long marketed itself as a secure and private alternative to WhatsApp and Messenger. However, many users misunderstand how Telegram’s encryption actually works, where its vulnerabilities lie, and how it compares to other platforms.

In this detailed 2025 review, we’ll separate myth from reality to answer one crucial question — is Telegram truly safe for your private conversations, photos, and personal data?

Myth 1: Telegram Chats Are Fully Encrypted By Default

Reality: Only Secret Chats Are End-to-End Encrypted.

This is one of the biggest misconceptions about how secure Telegram is. While Telegram does use encryption, not all chats are end-to-end encrypted.

Let’s clarify the two types of chat systems on Telegram:

1. Cloud Chats (Default)
   • Messages are encrypted client-to-server and stored on Telegram’s servers.
   • Telegram can technically access these chat messages.
   • You can sync and access your chats from multiple devices.
2. Secret Chats
   • These are end-to-end encrypted, meaning only you and the recipient can read them — not even Telegram itself.
   • Secret chats don’t sync across devices and automatically disappear if you switch phones.
   • Features like self-destructing messages and screenshot alerts make them safer for sensitive communication.

Verdict: Regular Telegram chats are secure against hackers during transmission but not fully private from Telegram’s servers. For maximum privacy, always use “Secret Chats.”

Myth 2: Telegram Is 100% Safe from Hackers

Reality: Telegram is relatively secure, but not invincible.

Telegram has never suffered a major hack that leaked user chats globally, but no app is 100% immune, especially when humans are involved.

Here’s what makes Telegram strong:

• It uses a proprietary protocol called MTProto 2.0, designed to protect against brute force and interception.
• Messages in transit are encrypted, which means hackers can’t easily sniff them on networks.
• Telegram claims distributed server infrastructure across the globe, making centralized attacks difficult.

However, potential weak points exist:

• SMS-based login can be hijacked via SIM swapping.
• Unverified third-party Telegram apps might log your data.
• If a device is compromised (e.g., keyloggers, malware), attackers can access your Telegram sessions.

Pro Tip (2025 Update): Always turn on Two-Step Verification in Telegram settings. It adds a password layer even if your phone number is compromised.

Myth 3: Telegram Is More Private Than WhatsApp

Reality: Not Always – It depends on how you use it.

WhatsApp provides end-to-end encryption for all messages by default. Telegram doesn’t. That’s the key difference.

However, Telegram does offer more control through:

• Self-destructing media
• Anonymous forwarding (no trace of who sent the message)
• No read receipts for groups
• Username-based communication (no phone number sharing)

But Telegram’s cloud storage and server-side encryption model mean messages are stored on their servers — theoretically accessible if compelled by law enforcement.

Comparison Table (2025 Update)

So when someone asks “Is Telegram safer than WhatsApp?”, the honest answer is:
For privacy, Signal > Telegram > WhatsApp.
For convenience and speed, Telegram > Signal.

Myth 4: Telegram Can’t Be Traced or Monitored

Reality: Telegram claims to protect user privacy, but it can be traced under certain conditions.

Telegram doesn’t share data with third parties or advertisers, but it does cooperate with law enforcement in serious criminal cases if requests meet its jurisdictional laws.

In Telegram’s own words:

“To this day, we have disclosed 0 bytes of user data to third parties or governments.”

Still, Telegram stores metadata like:

• IP addresses
• Device info
• Login history
• Contact lists (if permissions granted)

While message contents may remain private, metadata can reveal patterns of communication — something privacy purists don’t like.

Expert Note (2025): For journalists, activists, or political users, Telegram is secure enough for daily use, but not anonymous. For complete anonymity, tools like Signal + VPN or Tor are preferable.

Myth 5: Telegram Is Safe for Sending Private Photos and Sensitive Info

Reality: It depends on the chat type and your safety practices.

If you’re sending private images or documents:

• Use Secret Chats.
• Turn on the self-destruct timer.
• Disable cloud backup for added safety.

Always remember — if a message is in a regular chat, it’s stored on Telegram’s cloud. That makes it recoverable and potentially accessible under legal requests.

Is Telegram safe for private photos?
Mostly yes — but only when using the right features.

Myth 6: Telegram Is Safer Than Signal

Reality: Signal remains the gold standard for end-to-end encryption.

Telegram’s custom encryption protocol (MTProto), while innovative, isn’t open to peer-reviewed security audits as widely as Signal’s open-source Signal Protocol.

In technical terms:

• Signal encrypts everything, including metadata (as much as possible).
• Telegram keeps metadata for synchronization and functionality.

So for people who truly need unbreakable security — say, human rights activists — Signal wins.

Myth 7: Telegram Is Perfectly Safe from the Government or Police

Reality: Telegram is safer than most, but not untouchable.

Telegram prides itself on independence — being headquartered in Dubai and operating without ties to any particular government. Yet, it still complies with local laws in some cases.

In 2021, Telegram blocked channels spreading terrorism-related content.
In 2024, local governments pressured Telegram regarding misinformation controls.
This proves Telegram can enforce restrictions when necessary.

So if your main goal is avoiding government tracking, be cautious. It’s much harder for governments to access Telegram data than WhatsApp’s server data, but it’s not impossible.

Myth 8: Telegram’s Group and Channel Chats Are Private

Reality: They are public-facing or semi-public, depending on configuration.

Telegram Groups can have up to 200,000 members. Channels can have unlimited subscribers. These features make Telegram great for broadcasting information — but not for privacy.

Even in private groups:

• Admins can see your phone number (depending on privacy settings).
• Shared media stays in the group forever unless deleted.
• Bots added to groups can track user activity.

Best Practice: Disable “Add me to groups” and regularly check your active sessions under Privacy & Security → Devices.

Myth 9: Telegram’s Cloud Backup Is Completely Secure

Reality: It depends on your threat model.

Telegram’s cloud is encrypted — yes. But the encryption keys are also stored on Telegram’s servers. So, theoretically, the company could decrypt messages if legally forced.

Contrast this with Signal, which stores no cloud backups at all.

Still, for regular users, Telegram’s system is secure enough. You can log in from any device, and your messages appear instantly without requiring local backups. Convenience often comes at a small privacy trade-off.

Myth 10: Telegram Is a Red Flag App

Reality: It depends on usage behavior, not the app itself.

Some cybersecurity professionals consider Telegram a “red flag” only because:

• Extremist or dark web groups use it.
• It hosts unmoderated communities.
• Scammers often misuse its anonymity features.

However, that doesn’t mean you are at risk simply for using Telegram. In 2025, Telegram is a legitimate mainstream app used by businesses, schools, and even government officials.

So, How Secure is Telegram in 2025? — Final Verdict

After examining all myths, here’s the truth:

Final Takeaway:
Telegram is secure, but not the most private messenger. It’s a perfect blend of usability and strong encryption — as long as you use its advanced privacy features wisely.

How to Make Telegram More Secure (2025 Quick Tips)

1. Enable Two-Step Verification.
2. Use Secret Chats for sensitive talks.
3. Set a passcode lock or biometric lock.
4. Turn off Active Sessions you don’t use.
5. Avoid suspicious Telegram bots or third-party clients.
6. Review your Privacy Settings regularly.
7. Use a VPN if you’re concerned about tracking.

Conclusion

So, how secure is Telegram in 2025? The answer: secure enough for everyday users, but not foolproof for those needing absolute privacy. Telegram gives you tools — end-to-end encryption, self-destruct timers, device controls — but it’s your responsibility to use them wisely.

In short:

Telegram security = 70% technology + 30% user awareness.

Use it smartly, and it’s one of the best messaging apps in 2025.