telegram.me Reviews

https://telegram.me redirected to https//telegram.org during the time we crawled it. Telegram is a cloud-based instant messaging and voice over IP service. Its client-side code is open-source software but the source code for recent versions is not always immediately published, whereas its server-side code is closed-source and proprietary. The service also provides end-to-end encrypted video calling, VoIP, file sharing and several other features. It was initially launched for iOS on 14 August 2013 and Android in October 2013. The servers of Telegram are distributed worldwide to decrease data load with five data centers in different regions, while the operational center is based in Dubai. Various client apps are available for desktop and mobile platforms including official apps for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux, as well as for the now-discontinued Windows Phone. There are also two official Telegram web twin apps – WebK and WebZ – and numerous unofficial clients that make use of the Telegram API. All of Telegram's official components are open source, with the exception of the server which is closed-source and proprietary. The Telegram client is a free and open-source software, licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL) 2.0, and the server side code is closed-source and proprietary. The server-side code is written in a variety of programming languages, including C++ and Java. The code is not open-source and was not audited by third-party security experts. Telegram's default messages are cloud-based and can be accessed on any of the user's connected devices. Users can share photos, videos, audio messages and other files (up to 2 GB per file). Users can send text and voice messages, make voice and video calls, and share an unlimited number of images, documents (2 GB per file), user locations, contacts, and music. As of April 2020, Telegram has 400 million monthly active users. The app is particularly popular among users in the former Soviet Union and Iran, but has faced challenges in some countries due to its use by political activists. Telegram has been widely used for protests and reporting on political issues due to its emphasis on privacy and security. However, this has also led to it being banned or restricted in some countries. The app has been criticized for its use by terrorist groups and for its role in spreading misinformation. Telegram has been banned in several countries, including Russia and Iran, due to its refusal to provide government authorities with access to users' encrypted messages. The app has also been criticized for its handling of user data and for its use by extremist groups. In 2019, Telegram was fined by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for failing to register its initial coin offering (ICO) as a securities sale. The company was ordered to pay a $18.5 million penalty and to return $1.2 billion to investors. Despite these controversies, Telegram remains a popular messaging app, particularly among users who are concerned about privacy and security. The app has a number of features that are designed to protect user privacy, including end-to-end encryption for messages and the ability to set messages to self-destruct after a certain period of time. However, it is important for users to be aware of the app's limitations and to take steps to protect their own privacy and security. For example, while messages are encrypted in transit and on the company's servers, they are not encrypted on the user's device, which means that they could potentially be accessed by hackers or other third parties. Users should also be cautious about sharing sensitive information on the app, as there have been reports of security vulnerabilities that could potentially expose user data. In conclusion, while Telegram offers a number of features that are designed to protect user privacy and security, it is not without its controversies and limitations. Users should be aware of these issues and take steps to protect their own privacy and security when using the app."

the reasons behind this review :
Cloud-based messaging service, Open-source client-side code, Closed-source and proprietary server-side code, End-to-end encrypted video calling and VoIP, File sharing and other features, Multi-platform availability, Official and unofficial client apps, Server infrastructure and operational center location, Licensing and codebase details, Message and media sharing capabilities, User base and regional popularity, Use in political activism and protests, Criticisms and controversies, Banning and restrictions in some countries, Use by terrorist groups and misinformation, Legal and regulatory issues, Privacy and security features, Encryption and data protection, User data handling and vulnerabilities, SEC fine and ICO-related issues, User awareness and precautions.