Pavel Durov Unofficial

2022-10-06 04:50:03 Hackers could have full access (!) to everything on the phones of WhatsApp users.

This was possible through a security issue disclosed by WhatsApp itself last week. All a hacker had to do to control your phone was send you a malicious video or start a video call with you on WhatsApp.

You are probably thinking "Yeah, but if I updated WhatsApp to the latest version, I am safe, right"?

Not really.

A WhatsApp security issue exactly like this one was discovered in 2018, then another in 2019 and yet another one in 2020 (tap each year's link to see the corresponding vulnerability). And yes, in 2017 before that. Prior to 2016, WhatsApp didn't have encryption at all.

Every year, we learn about some issue in WhatsApp that puts everything on their users' devices at risk. Which means it's almost certain that a new security flaw already exists there. Such issues are hardly incidental – they are planted backdoors. If one backdoor is discovered and has to be removed, another one is added (read the post "Why WhatsApp will never be secure" to understand why).

It doesn't matter if you are the richest person on earth – if you have WhatsApp installed on your phone, all your data from every app on your device is accessible, as Jeff Bezos found out in 2020. That's why I deleted WhatsApp from my devices years ago. Having it installed creates a door to get into your phone.

I'm not pushing people to switch to Telegram here. With 700M+ active users and 2M+ daily signups, Telegram doesn't need additional promotion. You can use any messaging app you like, but do stay away from WhatsApp – it has now been a surveillance tool for 13 years. Open / Comment

2022-09-30 10:16:24 Though WhatsApp switched to its previous settings, approximately its 6 millions Iranian users migrated back to Telegram.

#news Open / Comment

2022-09-30 10:02:58 We'll send the Telegram apks here for those who don't have access to PlayStore or aren't able to open websites. Open / Comment

2022-09-30 10:01:34 9.0.2 (2808)

https://telegram.org/blog/infinite-reactions-statuses

Telegram APK PlayStore latest version Open / Comment

2022-09-24 10:39:05 WhatsApp has blocked Iranian numbers!
People with Iranian numbers don't have access to their accounts even outside of Iran.
And Instagram keeps deleting people posts related to the recent protests in Iran.

Very obvious censorship and cooperation with governments from Meta company.

#DigitalResistance Open / Comment

2022-09-17 02:12:26 New Update Is Here!


Improved Login Flow

Users can now receive login codes through their email address or using Sign in with Apple or Sign in with Google.


New Username Links

Every username now has a new unique link format – username.t.me – for those who want to emphasize their name (or have trouble finding the / key).


Infinite Reactions

All users now have access to dozens of reactions – including those that were previously only available with Telegram Premium, like .
Telegram Premium users can pick reactions from an infinite selection of custom emoji. To make choosing from thousands upon thousands of emoji easier, they can now attach up to 3 reactions per message


Emoji Statuses (Premium✮)

Starting today, Premium users can add an animated emoji status that is displayed next to their name – to quickly let everyone know how they're feeling or what they're doing. Tap the Premium badge at the top of your chat list or go to Settings to change your status.


Prioritize Downloads on Android

Media and files that are actively downloading can be managed in the 'Downloads' tab of Search or by tapping the ⤓ icon that appears in your chat list. You can now press and hold any items in the list to reorder them and change their priority – downloading the top file first.


Android Goodies

New smooth animations have been added for opening, closing and changing media on Android.
Those on Android 13 or newer can choose a thematic Telegram icon that will automatically match your phone's dark mode settings and accent color.

#update

telegram.org/blog/infinite-reactions-statuses Open / Comment

2022-09-08 21:53:25 This feature will also help the users who have problems with getting the login code via SMS due to SP blocking or other problems. Open / Comment

2022-09-08 21:49:54 Telegram updated it's Privacy Policy to reflect a new feature. It's necessary to note that you will still require a phone number which can receive SMS/calls to create a new account after which you can make use of this feature.

Also, to cancel the account reset request, one has to enter the code sent to the phone number. This will ensure that phone numbers are not squatted.

It is a good decision that Telegram won't allow new account creations via email, otherwise Telegram would be nothing different from Twitter/Instagram.

(many thanks to @tlgrmalpha for this post)


#news Open / Comment

2022-08-29 17:37:24 Until recently, 70% of all Telegram usernames had been reserved in inactive channels by cybersquatters from Iran. This created a graveyard of dead usernames that cluttered search results and prevented millions of Telegram users from selecting appropriate public addresses for their accounts, groups and channels.

Users who wanted to acquire these reserved usernames often received no response or ended up being scammed.

Fortunately, this situation has started to change. In mid-August, we withdrew all public Telegram addresses linked to channels that were empty or inactive for the last year. We will gradually reintroduce 99% of these addresses into public use, this time with algorithmic and geolocation limitations so that more users, and not just a select few, can benefit.

As for the highest-valued short usernames, the most efficient and fair way to distribute them seems to be by the auction I mentioned in my previous post. This way, those who acquire these catchy links will be motivated to put them to good use and bring value to our users with original content hosted at recognizable t.me addresses.

I don't doubt that those who hoarded Telegram usernames are disappointed, but this change will benefit the vast majority of our users. I look forward to seeing how millions of great Telegram addresses will be revived and finally start serving our community.

P.S. In anticipation of the things to come, today we are adding support for dedicated links like username.t.me for every username on Telegram (in addition to t.me/username). These web sites are already functional in any browser. Open / Comment

2022-08-28 09:27:33 I've looked around enough to know
That you're the one I want to go
through time with...


Time in a Bottle/ Jim Croce -1973

#music Open / Comment