The Unencrypted Truth: Telegram's Pavel Durov and the Signal Dispute

Published May 26, 2024

In the realm of instant messaging, the battle for supremacy has often revolved around features, user-friendliness, and the critical component of security. Within this competitive landscape, Telegram, the messaging platform known for its robust user base and unique features, has often been pitted against Signal, an app acclaimed for its exceptional encryption practices. At the core of this rivalry lies Pavel Durov, the vociferous founder of Telegram, who has made several claims about his app's contender, Signal. However, one glaring aspect that cannot be overlooked is that Telegram, unlike Signal, does not offer end-to-end encryption as a default feature for all conversations.

Security Spotlight: Encryption Defaults

While Durov has been quite vocal about his views on Signal, it is important to consider the inherent security features offered by the two applications. Signal is designed with privacy at its foundation, implementing end-to-end encryption by default for all communications. Telegram, on the other hand, offers this level of encryption only in its 'Secret Chats' feature, leaving its standard chats accessible under certain circumstances, which potentially compromises privacy. This fundamental difference in approach to encryption raises questions about the credibility of Durov's critiques of Signal.

Telegram, Signal, Encryption