Telegram (software)
Cloud-based messaging service with over 1 billion users.
Telegram Messenger is a cloud-based instant messaging and social media platform that works across different devices and operating systems. It was created by Pavel and Nikolai Durov, who launched it for iOS on August 14, 2013, and for Android on October 20, 2013. Users can send messages, share files and media, make private or group voice and video calls, and host public livestreams. The service is available on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Wear OS, watchOS, and through web browsers. End-to-end encryption is applied to voice and video calls, and it can also be enabled in private chats (Secret Chats) on both mobile and desktop clients. Telegram includes social features like posting stories, creating public groups that can hold up to 200,000 members, and broadcasting one-way updates to unlimited audiences through channels.
The Durov brothers previously ran the Russian social network VK, which they left in 2014, claiming it had been taken over by the government. Pavel sold his remaining VK stake and left Russia after resisting government pressure. Nikolai developed the MTProto protocol that Telegram runs on, while Pavel funded the project through his Digital Fortress fund. Telegram says its goal is not to make a profit, though it is not organized as a nonprofit. The company is registered in the British Virgin Islands and as an LLC in Dubai. It does not reveal where it rents offices or which legal entities handle those leases, citing the need to protect its team from outside influence and to shield user data from government requests. After leaving Russia in 2014, Pavel reportedly moved between countries with a small team of about 15 core programmers. A former VK employee claimed Telegram had staff in Saint Petersburg, but Pavel said the team tried to base itself in Berlin in 2014, failed to get residence permits for everyone, and moved elsewhere in early 2015. Since 2017, the company has been headquartered in Dubai. Its data centers are spread across a network of shell companies in different jurisdictions to avoid complying with government subpoenas, which the company says is done to protect data not covered by end-to-end encryption. Telegram’s FAQ states it does not act on requests about illegal content in chats and group chats, and claims it has never disclosed any user messages to third parties, including governments. However, Pavel noted that between J
- founded
- 2013
- founders
- Pavel Durov and Nikolai Durov
- headquarters
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- monthly active users (March 2025)
- more than 1 billion
- most downloaded app worldwide
- January 2021
- billion downloads globally
- late August 2021
Lore & Background
Telegram was launched in 2013 by the brothers Nikolai and Pavel Durov, who previously founded the Russian social network VK. They left VK in 2014, saying it had been taken over by the government. Pavel sold his remaining stake in VK and left Russia after resisting government pressure. Nikolai created the MTProto protocol that is the basis for the messenger, while Pavel provided financial support and infrastructure through his Digital Fortress fund. Telegram is registered as a company in the British Virgin Islands and as an LLC in Dubai, and since 2017 has been based in Dubai. Its data centers are spread across a complex corporate structure of shell companies in various jurisdictions to avoid compliance with government subpoenas, a practice the company says is done to protect data not covered by end-to-end encryption.
Telegram's usage grew steadily from 100,000 daily active users in October 2013 to 1 billion monthly active users by March 2025. Notable growth spurts included a surge after South Korean government surveillance plans in October 2014, and a gain of over 70 million new users following a Facebook outage on 5 October 2021. In August 2021, TechCrunch reported that India was Telegram's largest market, with a 22% share of total installs. Telegram offers end-to-end encryption in voice and video calls, and optionally in private chats if both participants use a mobile device. It also has social networking features, allowing users to post stories, create public groups with up to 200,000 members, and share one-way updates to unlimited audiences in channels.
Reader's Guide
Telegram's significance lies in its rapid growth to over 1 billion monthly active users by March 2025, making it one of the world's most popular messaging platforms. Its founders' background—leaving Russia after government pressure on their previous social network VK—shaped the company's emphasis on privacy and resistance to government data requests. Telegram's FAQ page states it does not process requests related to illegal content in chats and group chats, and that it has disclosed 0 bytes of user messages to third parties, including governments. However, Pavel Durov disclosed that Telegram did process legal requests from Brazil and India in 2024. The platform's architecture, with servers distributed worldwide and a complex corporate structure of shell companies, is designed to avoid compliance with government subpoenas. A notable incident occurred on 3 August 2026, when Telegram was temporarily removed from the Apple App Store due to content violating guidelines against child sexual abuse material. Telegram criticized the removal, and founder Pavel Durov alleged the prohibited material had been deliberately planted by a person engaged in 'takedown extortion'. The incident raised questions about platform liability and the standards applied by app store operators. Telegram's legacy includes its role in encrypted communication, its use of non-fungible tokens for registration as of 2024, and its ongoing tension with regulatory authorities.
Did You Know?
- Telegram was founded in 2013 by Pavel and Nikolai Durov, who previously founded the Russian social network VK.
- As of 2024, registration to Telegram requires either a phone number and a smartphone or one of a limited number of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) issued in 2022.
- On 3 August 2026, Telegram was temporarily removed from the Apple App Store due to content violating guidelines against child sexual abuse material.
- Telegram's FAQ page states it has disclosed 0 bytes of user messages to third parties, including governments.
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