====== Telegram (application) ======

Telegram (from Ancient Greek τῆλε — "far" and γράμμα — "writing") is a cross-platform messenger. It was founded in 2013 by Pavel and Nikolai Durov.

The app allows users to exchange text, voice, and video messages, as well as stickers, photos, and files in many formats. It also supports audio and video calls, conferences, live streams, unlimited file storage, channels (microblogs), and the creation and use of bots. Telegram apps are available for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Telegram is the most popular instant messaging app in some countries of Europe, Asia, and Africa. According to Pavel Durov, by early 2023, Telegram had become the second most popular messenger in the world after WhatsApp. As of March 19, 2025, Telegram has over 1 billion monthly active users, with India leading in user count. Telegram servers are located around the world across several data centers, with its headquarters in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Durov, a strong advocate for internet freedom, claims that Telegram offers a high level of data privacy. According to media reports, this privacy policy has attracted terrorists, extremists, fraudsters, arms dealers, and drug traffickers to Telegram. According to Surfshark, Telegram has been temporarily or permanently banned in 31 countries. An investigation into organized crime on Telegram led to Durov's criminal prosecution in France in 2024.