Self-Destructing Messages

[roseline371274]

Users can set timers for messages, photos, and videos to automatically disappear from both devices after a specified period (ranging from seconds to a week).
Screenshot Prevention/Alerts: On most platforms, Secret Chats attempt to prevent screenshots or notify the other party if a screenshot is taken.
No Forwarding: Messages in Secret Chats cannot be forwarded.
How to Use: To initiate a Secret Chat, tap on a contact's profile, then select "Start Secret Chat."
Privacy Implication: Provides the strongest possible privacy, ensuring only the sender and recipient can read the conversation.
Cloud Chats (Client-Server Encryption):

Description: This applies to most regular chats, including all group chats, channels, and default one-on-one conversations. Messages are encrypted as they travel from your device to Telegram's servers and then from the servers telegram data to the recipient. While encrypted in transit, Telegram's servers technically hold the encryption keys, meaning Telegram could decrypt these messages if compelled.
Privacy Implication: While still secure in transit, the fact that messages are stored on Telegram's cloud (albeit heavily encrypted with keys distributed across various data centers) means they are not as private as E2EE Secret Chats. Telegram claims a "distributed infrastructure" with encryption keys stored in different jurisdictions to make data access difficult, and states they have disclosed "0 bytes of user data to third parties, including governments" to date. However, recent reports (as of late 2024) suggest Telegram has begun to comply with "valid legal requests" from authorities, potentially sharing IP addresses and phone numbers in cases of criminal activity, a significant shift from its previous stance.