Is Telegram End-to-End Encrypted by Default?

[fatimahislam]

Telegram has surged in popularity as a messaging app known for its speed, flexibility, and unique features. But with the growing concerns over online privacy, many users are asking a critical question: Is Telegram end-to-end encrypted by default? The short answer is no—Telegram is not end-to-end encrypted by default. However, understanding what this means and how it affects your privacy is essential.

Understanding End-to-End Encryption (E2EE)
End-to-end encryption ensures that messages are encrypted telegram data on the sender’s device and can only be decrypted by the recipient. This means that even the service provider cannot read the contents of your messages. Apps like Signal and WhatsApp use end-to-end encryption by default for all communication, which provides a higher level of security and privacy.

Telegram's Default Encryption
Telegram uses a different approach. By default, Telegram chats are cloud-based, meaning they are stored on Telegram’s servers. These messages are encrypted in transit and at rest, but not end-to-end encrypted. This allows users to access their chats from multiple devices, including desktop and web versions, which is a trade-off for convenience over absolute privacy.

Telegram calls this method "server-client encryption". While Telegram claims that it uses secure encryption protocols, it means that Telegram (as the server provider) potentially has access to your messages, unlike with end-to-end encryption.

Secret Chats: Telegram’s E2EE Option
Telegram does offer end-to-end encryption—but only through a feature called Secret Chats. These chats must be manually initiated by the user and are only available on the devices where they were started. Secret Chats use the MTProto protocol, Telegram's custom encryption scheme, and support features like self-destruct timers and screenshot detection on some platforms.

However, Secret Chats do not sync between devices. If you start a Secret Chat on your phone, you cannot continue it on your desktop or another device. This limitation often deters users from using the feature consistently.

Why Isn’t E2EE Default?
Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, argues that cloud-based chats offer better usability and data backup options. The app emphasizes speed, multi-device access, and features like large file sharing and chatbots, which are easier to implement without full end-to-end encryption. Nonetheless, this decision has led to criticism from privacy advocates.

Conclusion: Weighing Convenience Against Privacy
So, Telegram is not end-to-end encrypted by default, and this is a crucial point for anyone prioritizing privacy. While the app does provide a secure alternative in the form of Secret Chats, it requires users to take an extra step to enable it—and it comes with functional limitations.

If privacy and message security are your top concerns, you may want to consider using Telegram's Secret Chats or even switching to a messaging app that uses end-to-end encryption by default, like Signal. In the end, your choice should reflect your personal balance between convenience and confidentiality.