Telegram: Who Invented It, What It Can Do, and Its Pros & Cons

1. Who Invented Telegram?

Telegram was created by Pavel Durov, the founder of Russia’s largest social network, VKontakte (VK). In 2013, after leaving VK due to conflicts with the Russian government, Pavel and his brother Nikolai Durov launched Telegram. They aimed to build a secure and private communication platform that couldn’t be controlled or accessed by governments or corporations.

Telegram is now registered as a German company and operated by Telegram FZ-LLC based in Dubai.

2. What Can Be Done with Telegram?

Telegram is much more than a messaging app. Here's what users can do with it:

Instant Messaging: One-on-one and group text chats with fast sync across devices.
Voice & Video Calls: High-quality encrypted calls.
Channels: One-way broadcasting tools for news, media, and large communities.
Groups: Support for up to 200,000 members in a single group.
Bots: AI-powered tools and services like reminders, games, translation, etc.
File Sharing: Send files up to 2 GB, including documents, videos, and more.
Secret Chats: End-to-end encrypted messages that can self-destruct.
Cloud Storage: All chats (except secret ones) are stored in the cloud and accessible from any device.
Telegram Stories (2023+): Similar to Instagram or WhatsApp stories, for sharing moments.

3. Advantages of Telegram

✅ Privacy & Security

End-to-end encryption (in secret chats).
Option to delete messages for both sender and receiver.
No forced data sharing with advertisers.

✅ Speed & Cloud Sync

Lightning-fast messaging.
Access your chats from multiple devices simultaneously.

✅ Large Group Support

Ideal for communities, organizations, and influencers.

✅ Customizability

Extensive themes, bots, stickers, and chat management tools.

✅ Free & Ad-Free

No ads (though a premium version with added features exists).

4. Disadvantages of Telegram

⚠️ No Default End-to-End Encryption

Regular chats are encrypted server-side, but not end-to-end by default.

⚠️ Limited Moderation

Some public groups or channels are used to spread misinformation or illegal content.

⚠️ Potential for Misuse

Due to privacy features, Telegram has been criticized for being used by extremist groups.

⚠️ Blocked in Some Countries

Telegram has been restricted or banned in countries like Iran and China.

🔚 Conclusion

Telegram is a powerful and flexible messaging app offering high levels of privacy, customization, and utility. Created by Pavel Durov as a response to increasing digital surveillance, it has grown into a platform with over 700 million users globally. While it empowers free communication, its unmoderated nature can lead to challenges. Whether for personal chats, large communities, or businesses, Telegram continues to evolve in the digital communication space.