How to Control Who Can See Your Telegram Data
Posted: Thu May 29, 2025 5:11 am
Telegram is widely appreciated for its strong privacy features and user control over personal information. Unlike many messaging platforms, Telegram puts significant power in the hands of its users, allowing them to decide who can see various types of data such as profile information, online status, last seen time, and more. If you’re concerned about your privacy or simply want to customize who can access your Telegram data, this guide will walk you through the steps to control visibility and secure your information effectively.
Understanding Telegram Data Privacy Settings
Telegram offers several categories of data that you can control, including:
Profile Photo
Last Seen & Online Status
Phone Number
Forwarded Messages
Calls
Profile Info (Bio, Username)
Each of these can be adjusted to specify telegram data who can see the data: Everyone, My Contacts, or Nobody. You can also add exceptions to allow or block specific users.
Step-by-Step Guide to Control Who Can See Your Telegram Data
1. Access Privacy and Security Settings
To start customizing your visibility:
Open Telegram and tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the top-left corner.
Select Settings.
Tap Privacy and Security.
Here, you will find various options to control your data visibility.
2. Control Last Seen and Online Status
Your last seen time and online status can reveal when you were last active on Telegram. You can:
Tap Last Seen & Online.
Choose from Everybody, My Contacts, or Nobody.
You can also add exceptions, allowing specific users to see or not see your last seen and online status.
Note that if you restrict others from seeing your last seen, you also won’t be able to see theirs.
3. Manage Who Sees Your Profile Photo
Profile photos often reveal identity and personality. To manage this:
Go to Privacy and Security > Profile Photo.
Select who can see your profile pictures: Everyone, My Contacts, or Nobody.
Use exceptions to allow or block specific contacts from viewing your photos.
4. Control Phone Number Visibility
Your phone number is a sensitive piece of data. To protect it:
Go to Privacy and Security > Phone Number.
Choose whether everyone, only your contacts, or nobody can see your phone number.
You can also set exceptions for individual users.
Telegram also allows you to decide who can find you by your phone number, an important option for preventing unwanted contacts.
5. Manage Forwarded Messages
If someone forwards your message, the receiver might be able to tap on the forwarded message to see your profile. You can limit who sees this:
Go to Privacy and Security > Forwarded Messages.
Decide who can link forwarded messages back to your account (Everyone, My Contacts, or Nobody).
6. Control Calls and Who Can Call You
Telegram calls are also protected by privacy settings:
Under Privacy and Security > Calls, select who can call you.
Options include Everyone, My Contacts, or Nobody, with exceptions as needed.
Additional Privacy Tips
Two-Step Verification: Add an extra layer of security to your Telegram account.
Secret Chats: Use secret chats for end-to-end encrypted conversations that leave no trace on Telegram’s servers.
Blocking Users: If you don’t want someone to contact you or see any data, simply block them.
Conclusion
Telegram’s privacy settings offer users detailed control over who can see their personal data. By customizing visibility options for last seen, profile photos, phone numbers, and more, you can create a secure and private messaging experience tailored to your preferences. Taking a few minutes to adjust these settings ensures that your Telegram presence remains under your control, safeguarding your privacy in an increasingly connected world.
Understanding Telegram Data Privacy Settings
Telegram offers several categories of data that you can control, including:
Profile Photo
Last Seen & Online Status
Phone Number
Forwarded Messages
Calls
Profile Info (Bio, Username)
Each of these can be adjusted to specify telegram data who can see the data: Everyone, My Contacts, or Nobody. You can also add exceptions to allow or block specific users.
Step-by-Step Guide to Control Who Can See Your Telegram Data
1. Access Privacy and Security Settings
To start customizing your visibility:
Open Telegram and tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the top-left corner.
Select Settings.
Tap Privacy and Security.
Here, you will find various options to control your data visibility.
2. Control Last Seen and Online Status
Your last seen time and online status can reveal when you were last active on Telegram. You can:
Tap Last Seen & Online.
Choose from Everybody, My Contacts, or Nobody.
You can also add exceptions, allowing specific users to see or not see your last seen and online status.
Note that if you restrict others from seeing your last seen, you also won’t be able to see theirs.
3. Manage Who Sees Your Profile Photo
Profile photos often reveal identity and personality. To manage this:
Go to Privacy and Security > Profile Photo.
Select who can see your profile pictures: Everyone, My Contacts, or Nobody.
Use exceptions to allow or block specific contacts from viewing your photos.
4. Control Phone Number Visibility
Your phone number is a sensitive piece of data. To protect it:
Go to Privacy and Security > Phone Number.
Choose whether everyone, only your contacts, or nobody can see your phone number.
You can also set exceptions for individual users.
Telegram also allows you to decide who can find you by your phone number, an important option for preventing unwanted contacts.
5. Manage Forwarded Messages
If someone forwards your message, the receiver might be able to tap on the forwarded message to see your profile. You can limit who sees this:
Go to Privacy and Security > Forwarded Messages.
Decide who can link forwarded messages back to your account (Everyone, My Contacts, or Nobody).
6. Control Calls and Who Can Call You
Telegram calls are also protected by privacy settings:
Under Privacy and Security > Calls, select who can call you.
Options include Everyone, My Contacts, or Nobody, with exceptions as needed.
Additional Privacy Tips
Two-Step Verification: Add an extra layer of security to your Telegram account.
Secret Chats: Use secret chats for end-to-end encrypted conversations that leave no trace on Telegram’s servers.
Blocking Users: If you don’t want someone to contact you or see any data, simply block them.
Conclusion
Telegram’s privacy settings offer users detailed control over who can see their personal data. By customizing visibility options for last seen, profile photos, phone numbers, and more, you can create a secure and private messaging experience tailored to your preferences. Taking a few minutes to adjust these settings ensures that your Telegram presence remains under your control, safeguarding your privacy in an increasingly connected world.