Has anyone tried Telegram chat App?

[BigJohn]

With the whole WhatsApp/Facebook data privacy mess that went down two weeks ago, 25 million+ people switched to Signal and Telegram.

I found Telegram useful since you can edit your sent messages and delete the entire conversation for both ends.

I read the discussions about Photo ID and paystub. Wouldn't the ability to delete your sent messages on both ends be more secured for your hobbies? That is if the organization is on these apps. I can see 408-359-6000 on there at least.

The apps were designed to overthrown foreign governments... so pretty sure they are very secured.

Asking for a friend.

 

[jpowellrulz]

Not sure if ability to delete messages on Telegram in panacea to the underlying problem. What gets displayed at the other end can be easily stored and retrieved in one form or another, even with delete feature. However, it sure can deter those that are not savvy enough yet.

 

[BigJohn]

True. If the organization saved these image files (such as your ID) then there is no deleting that on your end. But without the actual incriminating conversation, what do law enforcement have against you if OP was to be arrested (where ever he/she happened to be)? Or you being blackmailed by criminals, what are they going to tell the public (assuming you are a very famous public figure) with just a photo of your ID alone?

Telegram has a "Secret Chat" function that is End-to-End Encryption.

https://telegram.org/faq#secret-chats

This provides much more security than normal text messaging.

Just being tech nerdy here for a minute.

 

[BigJohn]

Secret Chat allows you to set the self-destruct function, after a few seconds, or a day, a week, the message will delete itself. The receiver also can not forward your messages.

Secret Chat also disallows Screen Capture. So receiver can't screen capture it and share publicly.

Man Facebook/Whatsapp really screwed this one, everyone switched to Telegram.

 

[BigJohn]

Not sure if ability to delete messages on Telegram in panacea to the underlying problem. What gets displayed at the other end can be easily stored and retrieved in one form or another, even with delete feature. However, it sure can deter those that are not savvy enough yet.

Ok, just found out Secret Chat function can't save images on the receiving end.

I guess unless the receiver wanted to use another camera to take a photo of the phone...

 

[BigJohn]

Never mind above. I was wrong. You can save images, email it, Google drive it, etc... so no dick pics. lol

 

[jpowellrulz]

Secret Chat allows you to set the self-destruct function, after a few seconds, or a day, a week, the message will delete itself. The receiver also can not forward your messages.

Secret Chat also disallows Screen Capture. So receiver can't screen capture it and share publicly.

Man Facebook/Whatsapp really screwed this one, everyone switched to Telegram.

FYI. Signal apparently have message self-destruct feature as well.

 

[BigJohn]

FYI. Signal apparently have message self-destruct feature as well.

Interesting. Whatsapp also has a self-destruct but only option is 7 days set.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think Signal and Whatsapp can delete prior messages for both ends if you later decide to get rid of it. This is an important function Telegram has that makes it superior imo.

 

[BigJohn]

Signal can still screen capture messages. You can't set so the receiving end can't screen capture your conversations. Telegram's Secret Chat function is still superior in this area.

Since Facebook/Whatsapp has become a government propaganda/surveillance machine, if privacy is important for your hobby, or maybe you are just fucking bitches on the side, it might be worth the time to do some research on this subject.

 

[cm47toimaim]

Check Rob Braxman channel on Utube.

 

[jpowellrulz]

Interesting. Whatsapp also has a self-destruct but only option is 7 days set.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think Signal and Whatsapp can delete prior messages for both ends if you later decide to get rid of it. This is an important function Telegram has that makes it superior imo.

Not sure about Signal yet. But IIRC, on Whatapp it sure lets you delete messages on both end (BUT only if party has not read it yet. Kinda Gmail "Unsend" feature, when you realize you made a typo or sent it wrong person)

Signal can still screen capture messages. You can't set so the receiving end can't screen capture your conversations. Telegram's Secret Chat function is still superior in this area.

Since Facebook/Whatsapp has become a government propaganda/surveillance machine, if privacy is important for your hobby, or maybe you are just fucking bitches on the side, it might be worth the time to do some research on this subject.

Deleted Whatsapp already, they sure brag about end-to-end encryption, but shamelessly keep your private key to read messages and share with government and LE. WTF?

 

[Djanssen1]

These apps communicate with each other, not standard texts. Unless an org has installed the app, you can't communicate with them from your end anyway. No app can fully block image saving. On any phone, can use system keystrokes to take a screen snapshot anytime (eg Power+Volume Down on Android).

Incidentally, as I do tend to save some provider numbers to my contact list, some do show up in WhatsApp for sending a new message.

 

[BigJohn]

These apps communicate with each other, not standard texts. Unless an org has installed the app, you can't communicate with them from your end anyway. No app can fully block image saving. On any phone, can use system keystrokes to take a screen snapshot anytime (eg Power+Volume Down on Android).

Incidentally, as I do tend to save some provider numbers to my contact list, some do show up in WhatsApp for sending a new message.

That's what I am talking about, you can not Screen Snapshot (power + Volume Down on Android) if you are in Telegram Secret Chat conversation. The app disabled this.

 

[BigJohn]

Not sure about Signal yet. But IIRC, on Whatapp it sure lets you delete messages on both end (BUT only if party has not read it yet. Kinda Gmail "Unsend" feature, when you realize you made a typo or sent it wrong person)

Well if operator hasn't read it yet... there is no point. Being able to delete both ends with no time limit is good.

If you have the option, use Telegram. I would delete Whatsapp if I didn't have important group chats going on in that app.

 

[Cholo54]

Can someone tell me what happened with the whole whatsapp facebook incident the OP refers to? Briefly?

 

[SaltyCatBear]

That's what I am talking about, you can not Screen Snapshot (power + Volume Down on Android) if you are in Telegram Secret Chat conversation. The app disabled this.

Correct me if I'm being ignorant here, but in the bigger context of things, the inability to take screenshots of the telegram secret chats doesn't seem to matter much. If the other side really wants to collect dirt, then they can take a picture of the conversation with another phone.

 

[BELLIOUS]

Telegram isn’t all that safe. Signal is a looooot safer however you do need a phone number

 

[jpowellrulz]

Correct me if I'm being ignorant here, but in the bigger context of things, the inability to take screenshots of the telegram secret chats doesn't seem to matter much. If the other side really wants to collect dirt, then they can take a picture of the conversation with another phone.

Very much so, information that leaves your phone is pretty much out of your handsl. Unless of course you have full trust on the other side.

 

[BigJohn]

Can someone tell me what happened with the whole whatsapp facebook incident the OP refers to? Briefly?

Whatsapp is forcing users to share data (details of your conversation) with Facebook by 2/8/2021 or be locked out of their accounts.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/carlyp...well-deactivate-your-account/?sh=47ca05802d46

This caused millions of users worldwide to switch to Signal and Telegram only to find out the app was actually superior to Whatsapp. Thanks Facebook!

Facebook panicked, decided to delay the policy to May 2021. lol

 

[BigJohn]

Correct me if I'm being ignorant here, but in the bigger context of things, the inability to take screenshots of the telegram secret chats doesn't seem to matter much. If the other side really wants to collect dirt, then they can take a picture of the conversation with another phone.

That is true. Telegram gives you the option to delete the conversation before that happens. We all know the things we say to "friends" only for the relationship to turn sour later down the road, now your conversation is at risk since you are no longer "friends".

I know someone that told a friend's wife he cheated after some disagreement between the two. Having the option to completely delete a conversation can be useful.

Or your friend might have done something illegal, got caught, now your conversations with him is at risk which is completely not your friend's fault. Or it could be a used car sales gone bad, you'll be seeing the guy in small claims court, might as well delete the conversation after he drove off with the car.