What Telegram Data is Shared with Third Parties?

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Telegram is known for its emphasis on privacy and security, positioning itself as a more secure alternative to many other messaging apps. However, like any digital service, it collects and processes user data. A common concern among users is: What Telegram data is shared with third parties? Understanding Telegram’s data-sharing policies can help users make informed decisions about their privacy and how their information is handled.

Telegram’s Privacy Philosophy
Telegram’s official stance strongly advocates user privacy and minimal data sharing. The telegram data platform highlights that it does not sell user data to advertisers or third parties and is designed to keep user information secure. Telegram uses encryption and other security measures to protect data, but the question remains whether and how Telegram shares data externally.

Types of Data Telegram May Share
Generally, Telegram’s data sharing with third parties is limited and mostly occurs under specific conditions such as legal requests or when involving third-party service integrations. Here’s an overview of what data might be shared:

Basic Account Information
Telegram requires a phone number for account registration, which is essential for identifying users and contacts. While Telegram doesn’t openly share your phone number with unknown third parties, it can be accessible to users who have your contact saved or within your mutual groups or chats. This information is not sold or shared broadly but is fundamental for account functionality.

Metadata
Metadata includes information such as login times, IP addresses, device types, and session details. Telegram may retain this metadata to enhance security, detect suspicious activity, and improve service performance. In rare cases, Telegram could share this metadata with authorities if compelled by valid legal orders or court requests.

User Content
For cloud chats, messages and media are stored on Telegram’s servers, encrypted but accessible by Telegram under certain conditions. However, Telegram claims it does not share message content with third parties. Secret Chats use end-to-end encryption, meaning only the sender and receiver have access, and Telegram cannot decrypt these messages.

Third-Party Services and Bots
Telegram supports bots and integrations that users may interact with. When you use third-party bots, the data you share with those bots can be accessed by the bot creators since those services operate independently. Telegram itself does not control or access this data, so users should exercise caution when interacting with bots and third-party applications.

Payment Information
Telegram offers payment services via bots. When you make a payment through Telegram, the payment data is processed by third-party payment providers, not Telegram itself. Your payment information is shared with these providers according to their privacy policies.

Legal and Regulatory Compliance
Telegram states it does not voluntarily share user data with governments or third parties. However, like all companies, Telegram complies with applicable laws and valid court orders. In these cases, Telegram may provide limited information such as IP addresses or phone numbers linked to specific accounts, but it maintains that message content is not accessible without encryption keys, especially for Secret Chats.

What Telegram Does Not Share
Telegram explicitly emphasizes it does not share the following:

User messages from Secret Chats.

User data for advertising purposes.

Personal information beyond what’s necessary for the service.

User Control Over Data Sharing
Users have tools to control their privacy on Telegram:

Privacy settings allow users to restrict who can see their phone number, profile photos, and last seen status.

Secret Chats offer maximum privacy with no server storage or third-party access.

Users can delete messages and media permanently from Telegram’s servers.

Careful use of bots and external services can limit data exposure.

Conclusion
Telegram’s approach to data sharing with third parties is cautious and privacy-focused. While some user information such as phone numbers, metadata, and interaction with bots may be shared under certain conditions, Telegram strives to protect user content and limit data exposure. Users should remain aware of the types of data shared, utilize Telegram’s privacy features, and exercise caution when engaging with third-party bots or services. This balanced approach helps Telegram maintain user trust while complying with necessary legal obligations.