Telegram (Better Than WhatsApp) and P. Durov
Nobody in the West drives a Russian car or uses a Russian computer. You’d have to be crazy: even Russians prefer BMWs and Apple. But if you’re smart, your smartphone is powered by Russian technology. That is, if you’re using Telegram.
Goodbye WhatsApp
In 2020, WhatsApp reached the milestone of two billion users, which the company (owned by Facebook since 2014) said made them humbled and honored. But there was little humility to be seen in the new terms of service the messaging app announced barely a year later. The changes basically boiled down to two choices: either give up more of your privacy (as your personal data would now be shared with Facebook), or stop using the app.
Delayed due to ‘confusion’ (NRC, 16-01-2021) or due to controversy and misunderstandings (iCulture, 16-01-2021), but the damage (or rather, the good) was already done. Masses of new users for Signal and Russia’s Telegram. (More about WhatsApp below.)
Telegram on the Rise
The year started off well for Pavel Durov (1984), founder (along with his brother Nikolai, 1980) of both VK and Telegram. On January 12, he announced that Telegram had gained 25 million users in just three days.
In two sentences, he gave both an explanation and a jab: “People no longer want to exchange their privacy for free services. They no longer want to be held hostage by tech monopolies that seem to think they can get away with anything as long as their apps have a critical mass of users.”
Telegram’s valuation also saw an instant boost. See Telegram at $30bln. Telegram capitalizes on problems at WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter (The Bell, 26-01-2021).
Pavel Durov
More about Pavel Durov in:
- Telegram’s founder Pavel Durov has yet again slammed WhatsApp for its encryption standards (moneycontrol, 2020, 1 m)
- The Incredible Life of Pavel Durov – Russia’s Mark Zuckerberg (Alux, 2019, 15 m), from the same channel: 15 Things You Didn’t Know About Pavel Durov (2018, 13 m)
- Pavel Durov of Telegram: WhatsApp Sucks (TechCrunch, 2015, 20 m)
And below; also see The eccentric life of Pavel Durov – Russia’s ‘Mark Zuckerberg’ (Business Insider, 2018).
The Story of Pavel Durov | Russian Father of Telegram and VK
(DW Shift, 2020, 6 m)
Telegram vs Signal
Telegram stores files not on your phone but on its own servers. You can use it to send large files, follow groups and channels (even for learning Russian), and much more.
In terms of security, Telegram (according to Vice, not as secure as you think) might lose out to Signal, which is recommended by Edward Snowden and Elon Musk. But on the other hand, Signal always requires a phone number, while on Telegram you can register with just a username.
- Signal vs Telegram: Which Should You Choose? (LaterClips, 2021, 6 m)
- Telegram – Can it Beat WhatsApp? (Business Disruptors, 2020, 9 m)
- Why You Should (Not?) Use Telegram (Shoot the Messenger, 2020, 8 m)
- 10 Reasons Why Telegram is Better Than WhatsApp (PixelGrid, 2018, 5 m)
- Telegram for Business: 10 Reasons You Need It (Cleveroad, 2017, 4 m)
Ten Reasons You Should Shift to Telegram | The Most Secure Messaging App
(Hack Trivia, 2016, 2 m)
Ban and Exile
Both Telegram and the Durov brothers are sources of pride for Russia, or so you’d think. But in reality, the Russian Federation tried to ban Telegram in 2018, only to realize two years later that it was pointless.
2018
- Russia’s Attempt to Ban Pavel Durov’s Telegram App (NowThis, 2018, 7 m)
- Russia Bans Telegram After 18-Minute Hearing (Futurism, 2018, 2 m)
- Russians Protest Telegram Ban (TRT World, 2018, 2 m)
- Russia: Second Rally Against Telegram Ban in Moscow (Ruptly, 2018, 1 m)
See also ‘Privacy Is Not for Sale’ – Telegram CEO Blasts Russia’s Decision to Ban Messaging App (The Moscow Times, 2018).
2020
- Russia lifts its ban on the Telegram messenger app (The Verge, 2020)
- What’s Behind Russia’s Decision to Ditch its Ban on Telegram? (Atlantic Council, 2020)
No. 1 Disrupter: Pavel Durov
(Politico Europe, 2020, 2 m)
What’s Next
For more about Facebook and WhatsApp, see:
- WhatsApp Forces Users to Share Personal Data with Facebook (ColdFusion, 2021, 8 m)
- The New WhatsApp Update is Scary! (Beebom, 2021, 5 m)
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