Activist HandbookOn this page
Telegram is an open source messaging app. It works for one-to-one conversations, but it also allows for massive communities.
The app has gained significant popularity among activists, partly because of privacy concerns with competitors such as WhatsApp. However, security experts do not recommend Telegram (because of the use of non-standardised encryption methods and the lack of end-to-end encryption by default). This does not necessarily mean you should not use the app. Just do not switch to the app for the wrong reasons.
TL;DR: Telegram offers great features for large movements. However, it one of the least secure and privacy friendly options out there. Also make sure to check out our reviews of other chats apps.
Popularity
Compared to the big giants, Telegram has a relatively small number of users, but usage among activists is more common.
| Monthly active users | ? |
Functionality
Telegram is useful if you want to keep a super large number of people informed on a subject in a semi public way using group messaging.
| Groups | |
| Max size | 75K |
| Broadcast messages | yes/no |
| Restrict who can add members | yes/no |
| Restrict who can edit group info | yes/no |
| Restrict who can send messages | yes/no |
| Conversations | |
| Mentioning specific people | yes/no |
| Inline comments | yes/no |
| Disappearing messages | yes/no |
| App | |
| Platforms | list of platforms |
Security and privacy
| Open source | yes |
| End-to-end encryption | not by default, it is possible to manually start a secret chat with someone, but not for groups |
| Collection of personal information | ? |
| Collection of metadata | ? |
| Trustworthy owner | ? |
Price and revenue model
| Price | free |
| Sells personal data | ? |
| Sells personalised ads | ? |
| Is a nonprofit | no |
