Media and Metadata
Posted: Thu May 29, 2025 8:01 am
These are end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) and device-specific. Messages in Secret Chats are never stored on Telegram’s servers and cannot be accessed by anyone, including Telegram itself. Not even Telegram can decrypt them, even if ordered by a court.
Media shared in cloud chats is stored on Telegram’s servers.
Telegram collects minimal metadata compared to other platforms.
It does not use your data for advertising and claims not to sell user data to third parties.
2. Telegram’s Policy on Law Enforcement Requests
Telegram’s official privacy policy clearly outlines how it handles legal data requests. The telegram data key points are:
Telegram does not disclose user data to authorities unless a court order is provided under the jurisdiction of its headquarters, which as of now, is in Dubai, UAE.
Telegram has disclosed zero bytes of user data to third parties or governments as of 2025, according to its transparency reports.
The only exception is when dealing with confirmed terrorist content, especially linked to ISIS or similar groups. In such rare cases, Telegram may disclose IP addresses and phone numbers, but only when legally compelled and only for very specific accounts.
2.1. Telegram’s Transparency Report
Telegram publishes a transparency report, updated periodically. It typically says:
"To this day, we have disclosed 0 bytes of user data to third parties, including governments."
3. Pressure from Governments Around the World
Telegram’s strong stance on user privacy has drawn both praise and criticism. Governments and law enforcement agencies in multiple countries have clashed with Telegram over access to user data.
Media shared in cloud chats is stored on Telegram’s servers.
Telegram collects minimal metadata compared to other platforms.
It does not use your data for advertising and claims not to sell user data to third parties.
2. Telegram’s Policy on Law Enforcement Requests
Telegram’s official privacy policy clearly outlines how it handles legal data requests. The telegram data key points are:
Telegram does not disclose user data to authorities unless a court order is provided under the jurisdiction of its headquarters, which as of now, is in Dubai, UAE.
Telegram has disclosed zero bytes of user data to third parties or governments as of 2025, according to its transparency reports.
The only exception is when dealing with confirmed terrorist content, especially linked to ISIS or similar groups. In such rare cases, Telegram may disclose IP addresses and phone numbers, but only when legally compelled and only for very specific accounts.
2.1. Telegram’s Transparency Report
Telegram publishes a transparency report, updated periodically. It typically says:
"To this day, we have disclosed 0 bytes of user data to third parties, including governments."
3. Pressure from Governments Around the World
Telegram’s strong stance on user privacy has drawn both praise and criticism. Governments and law enforcement agencies in multiple countries have clashed with Telegram over access to user data.