Messaging platform Telegram no longer appears among the most secure messenger services.
Hit the Brink: Telegram's Slip from Grace
In the ever-evolving digital landscape, Artezio, part of the Laniit Group, has unveiled a fresh ranking of the safest messaging apps according to Gazeta.Ru. Here's the rundown:
- Signal
- Olvid
- Threema
- Element (Matrix)
- Session
- Wickr
- Wire
- iMessage
- Viber
Compiling this list was no walk in the park, with a rigorous assessment of 60 key parameters encompassing encryption quality, metadata protection, and resistance to social engineering and privacy policy transparency.
Last year, Telegram positioned itself comfortably in fifth spot, but 2025 has seen a dramatic shift. As per Sergei Matusevich, AI and Web Technologies Development Director at Artezio, this unnerving drop can be attributed to a change in Telegram's security policy in 2024. A critical shortcoming, namely the lack of default end-to-end encryption in all chats, including group chats, has further fueled the debate.
Branded a privacy-focused haven by experts, platforms that steer clear of personal data during registration and employ complex message routing are the current darlings of the tech world. Ultimately, the sanctity of users' messages takes center stage.
In spring 2024, the mighty Telegram garnered a whopping 900 million monthly users, bolstering its position as the sixth most utilized and downloaded application worldwide [1]. However, its prestigious status took a tumble after French authorities accused Telegram founder Pavel Durov of stonewalling their demands to crack down on criminal activities within the messenger, potentially facing 20 years behind bars.
Post the accusation, Telegram's stance softened, complying with French authorities' requests and even agreeing to share user information with law enforcement when needed [1]. Subsequently, it has experienced a decline, with traditionally popular platforms like WhatsApp facing the same downward spiral due to their increasing willingness to collaborate with law enforcement agencies.
In Russia, WhatsApp reigns supreme, with 9 out of 10 small and medium-sized businesses favoring it for customer interactions. However, since autumn 2023, Roskomnadzor has issued a stern warning regarding its use, considering WhatsApp a part of Meta, a banned extremist organization in Russia. This sends a clear message to Russian users to migrate towards homegrown services that adhere to Russian jurisdiction and laws.
When the chips are down with WhatsApp, a staggering 36.8% of companies eye a switch to Telegram, with the social network VK attracting 13.1% of the crowd. Notably, a substantial 19.9% of respondents vie for phone calls, while 18.2% prefer emails, and 5.7% opt for SMS [2]. The tech world, it seems, thrives on change and constant evolution.
Insights:
- In 2024, Telegram altered its privacy policy to share user data, like IP addresses, with law enforcement when requested, potentially impacting user trust.
- Telegram's data collection practices and past data breaches, such as the 2020 Iranian user incident, have raised concerns regarding its overall security and privacy.
- Apps like Signal, offering end-to-end encryption for all messages, are seen as more secure compared to Telegram who primarily focuses on secret chats.
- Telegram's robust encryption features have attracted malicious groups, sparking debates surrounding balancing privacy with public safety.
- I'm not sure if Telegram will regain its former safety status by 2025, given its recent change in security policy.
- Despite being a popular choice for many, Telegram's position on the safest messaging apps list may slip further due to concerns about metadata protection and privacy policy transparency.
- In contrast, the safest messaging apps in 2025, like Signal and Olvid, prioritize parameters such as end-to-end encryption and strict adherence to user privacy.
- The technology landscape is evolving rapidly, with social-media and entertainment platforms increasingly focusing on the safest gadgets and secure messaging apps like Telegram.
- In the future, I predict that Telegram may need to reconsider its approach to privacy and metadata, aiming for greater transparency and safety to compete with the safest messaging apps in the market.
