Telegram App Founder, Pavel Durov, Arrested: Implication That Telegram Communication Isn't Securely Encrypted
Revised Article:
The arrest of Pavel Durov, the candid and eccentric co-founder of Telegram, sparked headlines over the weekend. However, a widespread misconception has cropped up – many outlets and high-profile figures have described Telegram as an encrypted messaging app.
On second thought, let's correct that – CNN referred to Telegram as the "uncensored Telegram platform" in an article about Durov. Reuters labelled it an "application," while Axios simply called it a "messaging app." All these descriptions, though, miss the mark.
In reality, Telegram is a multi-faceted platform brimming with open-source intelligence, potential avenues for child sexual exploitation, and various scams and criminal activities. While it does offer an encrypted chat option, it's far from the default setting, and enabling it isn't as straightforward as flipping a switch.
When you compare Telegram to well-regarded encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal, it falls short. The latter two provide end-to-end encryption out of the box, ensuring a decent level of security for users. In contrast, activating encryption on Telegram is a multi-step process that requires users to initiate "Secret Chats" for each and every one-on-one conversation they wish to encrypt. Oh, did I mention this feature is not available for group chats? So much for convenience, huh?
To activate Secret Chats, you ought to:
- Open the Telegram app and navigate to a contact's chat.
- Tap the three vertical dots on the contact's profile picture.
- Select "Start Secret Chat."
- Confirm when prompted to begin a secret chat.
Telegram co-founder Durov has often voiced his opinion on the encryption capabilities of other platforms and accused the US government of interfering with Signal's encryption systems. "Big tech in the U.S. isn't allowed to develop its own encryption protocols free from government meddling," he wrote on his very own unencrypted Telegram channel. "Telegram is the lone massively popular messaging service permitting everyone to ensure its apps indeed use open-source code."
Now, don't get me wrong, Durov has been talking smack about Signal and WhatsApp for years, even going as far as saying in a 2017 tweet: "The encryption of Signal (=WhatsApp, FB) was funded by the U.S. Government. I predict a backdoor will be found there within 5 years from now."
His comments stem from the fact that Signal received government grants during its early stages of development. However, it's worth noting that these grants came from various sources, including the Knight Foundation and the Freedom of Press Foundation. Claiming, without evidence, that a few million bucks early in development equates to control or a backdoor is a stretch, to say the least. Did I mention that Signal now spends a whopping $50 million annually on its operations?
So, where does that leave us? Well, as of now, the French authorities have taken Durov into custody on a range of charges connected to illicit material spreading on Telegram. Meanwhile, Signal has been addressing and rectifying its known security issues, and the platform where people share everything from war intel to child sexual exploitation material remains unencrypted by default. Time, as they say, will tell.
- Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov, known for his outspoken nature, has criticized the encryption capabilities of other platforms, such as WhatsApp and Signal, claimining a potential backdoor might be discovered within five years.
- In contrast to well-regarded encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal, Telegram offers an encrypted chat option but it's not the default setting and activating it is a multi-step process rather than a simple switch.
- Durov has accused the US government of interfering with Signal's encryption systems, stating that Telegram is the only popular messaging service allowing users to ensure its apps use open-source code.
- Despite Durov's claims, it's essential to consider that Signal, which was funded by grants from various sources including the Knight Foundation and the Freedom of Press Foundation, has since been investing significantly in its operations, spending $50 million annually.
