History of Telegram (software) in Timeline
Telegram Messenger is a secure, cloud-based instant messaging service available on various platforms. Launched in 2013, it enables users to send messages, share media, make voice and video calls, and host livestreams. Telegram prioritizes privacy and security, offering end-to-end encryption for voice calls, video calls, and optional 'Secret Chats'.
August 2013: Telegram Messenger Initial Launch
In August 2013, Telegram Messenger was initially launched for iOS devices.
October 2013: Telegram Messenger Android Launch
Following its iOS launch, Telegram Messenger became available for Android users in October 2013.
October 2013: Telegram Hits 100,000 Daily Active Users
Telegram announced reaching 100,000 daily active users in October 2013.
2013: Researcher Identifies and Helps Fix Man-in-the-Middle Vulnerability in MTProto
In 2013, a programmer discovered a vulnerability in the MTProto protocol that could allow attackers to intercept communications without detection. Telegram promptly addressed the issue and rewarded the researcher.
2013: Founding of Telegram
Telegram was founded by Nikolai and Pavel Durov in 2013.
February 2014: German Consumer Group Raises Concerns About Telegram's Data Protection Practices
In February 2014, Stiftung Warentest, a German consumer organization, evaluated Telegram's data protection measures, praising its secure chats but criticizing the mandatory transfer of contact data to its servers and a lack of transparency regarding data transmission analysis due to the absence of accessible source code.
March 2014: Promise of Open Source Code
In March 2014, Telegram pledged to eventually release all of its code, including client and server-side applications, as open source.
March 2014: Telegram Reaches 35 Million Monthly Users
In March 2014, Telegram announced it had reached 35 million monthly users and 15 million daily active users.
October 2014: South Korean Users Switch to Telegram
Concerns over government surveillance in South Korea led many citizens to switch from KakaoTalk to Telegram in October 2014.
December 2014: Telegram Hits 50 Million Active Users
Telegram announced in December 2014 that it had 50 million active users, with 1 billion daily messages and 1 million new users joining weekly.
2014: Durov Brothers Leave VK
After facing government pressure, Pavel Durov sold his remaining stake in VK and left Russia in 2014.
February 2015: EFF Awards Mixed Scores to Telegram's Security Features in Messaging Scorecard
In February 2015, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) assessed Telegram's security, awarding its default chat a score of 4 out of 7 for encrypting communications in transit and having open-source code but penalizing it for lacking end-to-end encryption by default and past message security vulnerabilities. The optional secret chat feature received a perfect score for its robust end-to-end encryption.
February 2015: Release of Telegram Plus
In February 2015, the creators of the unofficial WhatsApp+ client released Telegram Plus, later renamed to Plus Messenger, leveraging Telegram's public APIs.
June 2015: Telegram Launches Bot Platform
In June 2015, Telegram introduced a platform for third-party developers to create bots, expanding the app's functionality and allowing for automated tasks, integrations, and even online payments.
September 2015: Samsung's Messaging App Using Telegram's APIs
Samsung released a messaging application in September 2015 that utilized Telegram's public APIs for its functionality.
September 2015: Telegram Reaches 60 Million Users and 12 Billion Daily Messages
By September 2015, Telegram had grown to 60 million active users, sending 12 billion daily messages.
September 2015: Durov Defends Telegram's Encryption Amidst ISIS Concerns
Pavel Durov defended Telegram's encryption in September 2015, prioritizing user privacy over concerns about potential misuse by groups like ISIS, sparking debate about encryption and security.
October 2015: ISIS Adopts Telegram, Doubling Its Following
ISIS's endorsement of Telegram in October 2015 led to a doubling of its followers on the platform, raising concerns about the app's potential to facilitate terrorist activity.
November 2015: Telegram Blocks ISIS Channels While Defending Free Speech
Telegram announced the blocking of 78 ISIS-operated channels in November 2015, but maintained its stance against politically motivated censorship, highlighting the balance between security and free expression.
December 2015: Researchers Identify Encryption Weakness in MTProto 1.0, Leading to Future Improvements
A December 2015 report highlighted a theoretical encryption weakness in MTProto 1.0, which Telegram acknowledged and addressed in later updates.
2015: Telegram Relocates Team
Telegram's team, after failing to secure German residency permits, moved to different jurisdictions in early 2015.
February 2016: Telegram Reaches 100 Million Monthly Active Users
Telegram reached 100 million monthly active users in February 2016, adding 350,000 new users daily and handling 15 billion messages per day.
April 2016: Russian Opposition Members Targeted
In April 2016, accounts belonging to Russian opposition members were compromised through SMS interception, highlighting security concerns.
May 2016: Criticism From Security Experts
In May 2016, Telegram faced criticism from organizations like the Committee to Protect Journalists and the Electronic Frontier Foundation for its lack of default end-to-end encryption and the use of the non-standard MTProto encryption protocol.
May 2016: Experts Challenge Telegram's Security Claims Compared to WhatsApp and Line
In May 2016, Telegram's security claims were disputed by experts who argued that WhatsApp and Line offered stronger security measures, particularly their default end-to-end encryption and use of the Signal Protocol, contrasting with Telegram's storage of user data on its servers.
July 2016: Line Implements End-to-End Encryption, Facing Criticism Despite Improvement
Despite implementing end-to-end encryption by default in July 2016, Line faced criticism for vulnerabilities like replay attacks and a lack of forward secrecy, highlighting the ongoing debate around messaging app security.
August 2016: ISIS Terrorist Use
In August 2016, Telegram was under scrutiny after French anti-terrorism investigators found that ISIS terrorists involved in the Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray murder used the app to coordinate their attacks and spread propaganda.
August 2016: Iranian Hackers Target Telegram Users
In August 2016, a group of Iranian hackers exploited a Telegram API vulnerability, compromising over a dozen accounts and obtaining phone numbers of 15 million Iranian users. Telegram subsequently restricted the API to prevent similar attacks.
2016: Allegations of US Intelligence Pressure
In 2016, during a visit to the US, Telegram's developers were allegedly approached by US intelligence agencies and offered bribes to weaken the app's encryption or install a backdoor.
June 2017: Allegations of US Intelligence Pressure
In June 2017, Pavel Durov alleged that US intelligence agencies attempted to bribe Telegram developers to compromise the app's encryption during their US visit in 2016.
June 2017: Threat of Blocking in Russia
In June 2017, Russia's Roskomnadzor hinted at the possibility of blocking Telegram in the country due to concerns about its use by terrorists.
July 2017: Blocking in Indonesia
In July 2017, Indonesia blocked Telegram's DNS servers, citing the presence of channels promoting radicalism, terrorism, and other content deemed illegal in the country.
August 2017: Indonesia Lifts Block
In August 2017, Indonesia lifted the block on Telegram after the company implemented countermeasures to address concerns about negative content in collaboration with Indonesian authorities.
December 2017: Telegram 4.6 Introduces MTProto 2.0 with Enhanced Security Features
December 2017 marked the release of Telegram 4.6, featuring the improved MTProto 2.0 protocol that addressed prior security concerns and earned recognition from cryptography experts for its enhanced security.
December 2017: Development of TON Blockchain Platform Announced
Telegram announced its ambitious blockchain platform, TON (Telegram Open Network), and its native cryptocurrency, Gram, in mid-December 2017, aiming to create a decentralized ecosystem for apps and services.
December 2017: Telegram Hits 180 Million Monthly Active Users
Telegram's user base continued to grow, reaching 180 million monthly active users by December 2017.
December 2017: MTProto 2.0 Deployed
In December 2017, Telegram transitioned to the improved MTProto 2.0 for its encrypted chats, enhancing security and addressing prior vulnerabilities.
2017: Telegram Establishes Base in Dubai
Telegram established its base in Dubai in 2017.
2017: Telegram Introduces One-on-One Calls
Telegram users gained the ability to initiate one-on-one calls in private chats starting in 2017.
January 2018: Telegram Raises \$1.7 Billion in Private Placement
To support its operations and the development of the TON project, Telegram raised \$1.7 billion in a private placement from investors including Kleiner Perkins, Sequoia Capital, and Benchmark in January 2018.
January 2018: Release of TON Technical Paper
In January 2018, Telegram released the technical paper for its TON blockchain, detailing its architecture and vision.
February 2018: Private Sale of Gram Futures Contracts Raises \$1.7 Billion
Telegram raised approximately \$1.7 billion in February 2018 through a private sale of futures contracts for its Gram cryptocurrency, demonstrating significant investor interest in the project.
February 2018: Telegram Login Introduced
In February 2018, Telegram launched Telegram Login, offering a secure way for users to log into websites using their Telegram credentials while safeguarding their phone number.
February 2018: Telegram Login Introduced
February 2018 saw the launch of Telegram Login, a feature enabling users to sign into websites using their Telegram credentials while keeping their phone number private.
March 2018: Telegram Surpasses 200 Million Monthly Active Users
In March 2018, Telegram announced that its monthly active user base had surpassed 200 million.
July 2018: Telegram Passport Launched
July 2018 saw the introduction of Telegram Passport, an online authorization system allowing users to securely share identity documents with verified services, but it faced criticism over potential vulnerabilities.
2018: Use by Proud Boys and Other Groups
In 2018, far-right groups such as the Proud Boys in the US and Tommy Robinson's TR.news in the UK utilized Telegram for organization and communication after being banned from mainstream platforms.
2018: Initial Gram Futures Contracts Sale Raises \$1.7 Billion
In 2018, before facing regulatory challenges in the US, Telegram raised \$1.7 billion by privately selling futures contracts for its planned Gram cryptocurrency, attracting significant investor interest.
2018: Telegram Warns of Unofficial Client Security Risks
In 2018, Telegram issued a warning to its Iranian users about the security vulnerabilities in unofficial Telegram clients like Telegram Talai and Hotgram.
2018: Platform Shift of Far-Right Groups
In 2018, Telegram became a hub for far-right groups like the Identitarian movement in Germany, which migrated to the platform after facing censorship on mainstream platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
January 2019: Launch of TON Test Network
In January 2019, Telegram launched the test network for its TON blockchain platform as part of its development process.
March 2019: Telegram Experiences Surge in New Users
Telegram gained 3 million new users in a 24-hour period in March 2019, coinciding with a technical outage at Facebook and its related apps.
June 2019: Denial-of-Service Attack
In June 2019, Telegram experienced a denial-of-service attack that led to a temporary disruption of its services for about an hour. Pavel Durov attributed the attack to IP addresses originating from China.
June 2019: Leaked Messages in Brazil
June 2019 saw the leak of Telegram messages involving Sérgio Moro, Brazil's Minister of Justice, and federal prosecutors. While the source of the leak remains unclear, Telegram suggested potential causes as malware or lack of two-step verification.
August 2019: White Supremacist Activity
In August 2019, white supremacist Christopher Cantwell used Telegram to spread anti-Semitic content, highlighting the platform's ongoing struggle with hate speech.
October 2019: Telegram Reaches 300 Million Monthly Active Users
As of October 2019, Telegram had 300 million monthly active users globally.
November 2019: Europol Collaboration and Content Removal
In November 2019, Telegram participated in Europol's Internet Referral Action Day, resulting in the removal of over 43,000 terrorist-related bots and channels, demonstrating a significant effort to combat terrorism.
December 2019: Bloomberg News Moves Newsletter Service to Telegram
Bloomberg News switched its messenger-based newsletter service from WhatsApp to Telegram in December 2019 after WhatsApp banned bulk and automated messaging.
December 2019: Russian Businessmen Targeted
Multiple Russian businessmen experienced account takeovers in December 2019, with attackers bypassing SMS-based single-factor authentication. Security experts suggested potential causes, including vulnerabilities in the SS7 protocol, illicit surveillance, or insider threats.
2019: Leaked Messages Spark Puerto Rico Riots
Leaked Telegram messages played a central role in the 2019 Puerto Rico riots, which ultimately led to the resignation of Governor Ricardo Rosselló. The leaked messages, containing offensive and controversial content, exposed conversations between Rosselló and his staff.
2019: Increased Far-Right Activity in Ireland
In 2019, Irish far-right groups began increasing their activity on Telegram, with a total of 801 messages recorded, highlighting the platform's growing appeal to extremist groups in the region.
2019: Repayment to Investors After TON Shutdown
After shutting down the TON project, Telegram needed to repay investors the unused funds from the 2018 fundraising round, impacting its financial standing in 2019.
2019: Growing Far-Right Audience
In 2019, Telegram witnessed increased viewership of far-right content, with web links related to groups like TR.news and Britain First surpassing those of established news outlets like The Guardian and Daily Mail.
January 2020: The Base Group Activity
In January 2020, The Base, a neo-Nazi group, used Telegram for communication and coordination. After arrests of several members, the group's activity on the platform decreased.
March 2020: Data Leak From Unofficial Telegram Version
In March 2020, an unsecured Elasticsearch database containing the user IDs and phone numbers of 42 million Iranian users was discovered online. The data originated from an unofficial, potentially government-sanctioned, fork of Telegram. While the database was taken offline after 11 days, researchers believe other parties, including hackers, accessed the exposed data.
April 2020: Telegram Hits 400 Million Monthly Active Users
In April 2020, Telegram announced reaching 400 million monthly active users.
May 2020: Sale of Ukrainian Citizen Data
In May 2020, a Telegram bot emerged selling the personal data of an alleged 26 million Ukrainians, though the government denied any data from the Diia app was compromised.
August 2020: Telegram Introduces Video Calls
Telegram introduced video calls in August 2020.
September 2020: Iranian Phishing Campaign Targets Dissidents
In September 2020, Iran's RampantKitten group carried out a phishing and surveillance operation targeting dissidents on Telegram. The attack involved users downloading malware-infected files, leading to the compromise of Telegram files and session data. Experts pointed out that the vulnerability lay in compromised devices rather than the app itself.
December 2020: Telegram Adds Group Voice Chats
Telegram added group voice chats in December 2020.
December 2020: MTProto 2.0 Formally Proven Correct
In December 2020, researchers validated the security of MTProto 2.0, providing formal proof of its robustness while acknowledging potential vulnerabilities if the server is compromised or users neglect key verification.
December 2020: Bugs and Suggestions Platform Launched
In December 2020, Telegram enhanced user feedback by launching a dedicated platform for reporting bugs and suggesting new features, fostering community involvement in the app's development.
December 2020: Study Confirms Security of Telegram's MTProto 2.0 Encryption Protocol
A December 2020 study titled "Automated Symbolic Verification of Telegram's MTProto 2.0" validated the security of the updated MTProto 2.0 encryption protocol used by Telegram, addressing previous criticisms and highlighting its robustness while acknowledging some theoretical vulnerabilities.
2020: Russia Lifts Telegram Ban
After several years of being blocked, Telegram became accessible in Russia again in 2020 after the government lifted a ban on the app.
2020: Announcement of Ad Platform Development
In late 2020, Telegram announced its plan to develop its own advertising platform, aiming to integrate non-targeted ads in public channels as a way to generate revenue.
2020: Consideration of Paid Features for Enterprise Clients
In late 2020, Telegram announced it was exploring the possibility of introducing paid features specifically for enterprise clients to diversify its revenue streams and cover increasing infrastructure costs.
2020: Deepfake Pornography Bot Blocked
In 2020, Apple took action against a Telegram bot that was distributing deepfake pornography, highlighting the platform's vulnerability to misuse for malicious purposes.
2020: Demand for Records Related to Capitol Attack
In 2020, Telegram faced scrutiny from the US government for its potential role in the planning and coordination of the January 6th Capitol attack, leading to demands for user data and communications.
2020: Telegram Bans Bots and Channels Related to Child Abuse and Terrorism
In 2020, Telegram took down over 350,000 bots and channels involved in disseminating content related to child abuse and terrorism.
2020: Significant Increase in Irish Far-Right Content
In 2020, there was a significant increase in far-right content on Telegram originating from Ireland, with over 60,000 messages recorded, demonstrating the platform's role in facilitating extremist communication.
January 2021: Telegram Becomes Most Downloaded App Globally
In January 2021, Telegram achieved the top spot as the world's most downloaded app.
January 2021: Non-Consensual Image Sharing in North Macedonia
In January 2021, Telegram faced criticism and government pressure in North Macedonia after a group called "Public Room" was used to share non-consensual nude photos of women, including underage girls.
January 2021: Blocking of Neo-Nazi and White Supremacist Channels
In January 2021, Telegram took action against neo-Nazi and white supremacist channels, blocking hundreds with tens of thousands of followers for inciting violence.
January 2021: Durov Explains Closed Source Rationale
Pavel Durov explained in January 2021 that the server-side code remained closed source due to concerns about user verification, potential government acquisition, and competitive risks.
January 2021: Telegram Reaches Approximately 500 Million Monthly Active Users
Telegram announced reaching about 500 million monthly active users in January 2021.
March 2021: Telegram Settles with SEC and Launches Bond Offering
In March 2021, Telegram reached a settlement with the SEC, agreeing to pay a penalty and return funds to Gram investors. To cover these costs and support the app's growth, Telegram launched a bond offering.
March 2021: Telegram Raises \$1 Billion in Bond Placement and Additional \$150 Million
In March 2021, Telegram took on debt financing to repay investors and ensure future growth, raising \$1 billion through a public bond placement. Shortly after, they secured an additional \$150 million from Abu Dhabi-based investment firms. These bonds could be converted to shares if Telegram goes public.
April 2021: Payments 2.0 Upgrade
The Payments 2.0 upgrade in April 2021 enhanced Telegram's bot payments, allowing transactions within any chat and incorporating various third-party payment services.
May 2021: Server-Side Code Remains Closed Source
As of May 2021, despite earlier promises, Telegram had not yet released the source code for its server-side operations.
June 2021: New Bot Menu Introduced
June 2021 saw the implementation of a dedicated bot menu, simplifying user interaction with bots and providing easier access to commands within chats.
June 2021: Telegram Introduces Group Video Chats
Group video chats were introduced by Telegram in June 2021.
July 2021: MTProto Protocol Analysis and Updates
Researchers from Royal Holloway and ETH Zurich published an analysis of Telegram's MTProto protocol in July 2021, highlighting its ability to provide confidential and secure communication channels. They also identified theoretical vulnerabilities, including potential message reordering, which Telegram addressed with protocol updates and security patches before the research publication.
August 2021: Telegram Reaches 1 Billion Downloads
By August 2021, Telegram had amassed a total of 1 billion downloads globally.
August 2021: US Capitol Attack Investigation
In August 2021, the US House of Representatives demanded records from Telegram as part of their investigation into the January 6th Capitol attack, focusing on the platform's potential role in the events.
September 2021: Telegram Suspends Bots Spreading Russian Election Information
In September 2021, Telegram suspended bots sharing information about the Russian election, including one run by the opposition party critical of Vladimir Putin's government. Telegram cited "election silence" and pressure from Apple and Google to comply with their content policies as reasons for the suspension.
September 2021: Self-Destruct Feature Bug Patched
In September 2021, a Russian researcher revealed a bug in Telegram's self-destruct feature that allowed users to recover deleted photos locally. Telegram patched the bug before its public disclosure and offered a bug bounty, which the researcher declined to accept under the terms of a non-disclosure agreement.
October 2021: Launch of "Sponsored Messages" Platform
In October 2021, Telegram launched its "Sponsored Messages" platform, integrating non-targeted ads into public channels with over 1000 followers as a monetization strategy.
October 2021: Telegram User Base Surge Due to Facebook Outage
Telegram gained over 70 million new users following a Facebook outage in October 2021.
2021: Leaked Facebook Phone Numbers Sold via Bot
In 2021, a Telegram bot exploited a Facebook data leak by selling access to leaked phone numbers, raising concerns about privacy and data security.
2021: Pro-Junta Actors Exploit Telegram in Myanmar Following Coup
Following the 2021 coup in Myanmar, pro-military groups migrated to Telegram after facing bans on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. They used the platform to spread misinformation, incite violence against opposition groups, and dox individuals, exploiting Telegram's less stringent content moderation policies.
2021: Direct Build of Telegram for Android Released
In 2021, Telegram released a direct build of its Android app, allowing users to download the app directly from their website and bypass app store restrictions on content.
January 2022: Hate Speech on Disclose.tv Groups
In January 2022, reports revealed the spread of Holocaust denial, neo-Nazism, and other hate speech within Discord and Telegram groups associated with the German website Disclose.tv.
January 2022: Introduction of Video Stickers
January 2022 marked a new era of expression on Telegram with the introduction of video stickers, using the WebM format and adding a dynamic layer to visual communication.
March 2022: Telegram Becomes Most Popular Messaging App in Russia
Telegram's usage share in Russia increased to 63% in March 2022, surpassing WhatsApp to become the country's most popular messaging app.
April 2022: Enhanced Bot Customization and Integration
In April 2022, Telegram bots received a significant update, allowing for customized interfaces and inline page loading for a more integrated and visually consistent user experience.
June 2022: Telegram Reaches 700 Million Monthly Active Users
Telegram announced in June 2022 that it had reached 700 million monthly active users.
June 2022: Telegram Premium Launched
June 2022 saw the introduction of Telegram Premium, a paid subscription model offering enhanced features, larger file uploads, faster downloads, and exclusive content.
September 2022: Expanded Reactions for All Users
In September 2022, Telegram democratized reactions by granting all users access to a wider range, including some previously exclusive to Premium subscribers, enhancing communication for everyone.
2022: Cancellation of Bot Monetization Program
Telegram canceled a planned bot monetization program in 2022 due to Apple's demand for a share of the revenue, highlighting the challenges faced by app developers with platform policies.
2022: Telegram Adds New Sign-in Options
In late 2022, Telegram added Sign in with Apple and Sign In with Google, or with an email address.
2022: Livestreams of Violent Events
In 2022, despite prohibiting the promotion of violence, Telegram faced criticism for allowing livestreams of tragic events like the Christchurch mosque shootings, Buffalo shooting, and Halle synagogue shooting, raising concerns about content moderation.
March 2023: Norwegian Government Advises Against Telegram Use
Citing concerns about the lack of default end-to-end encryption, Russian origins, and potential security risks, the Norwegian National Security Authority advised against using Telegram on business devices, particularly those used for government-related work, in March 2023.
March 2023: UN Calls on Telegram to Address Human Rights Abuses on Its Platform
In March 2023, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights urged Telegram to take proactive measures in identifying and mitigating human rights abuses occurring on their platform, leading to the blocking of 13 pro-military accounts.
April 2023: Temporary Suspension in Brazil
In April 2023, Telegram faced temporary suspension in Brazil and a daily fine for failing to fully comply with a Federal Police investigation into neo-Nazi activities on the platform.
July 2023: Telegram Becomes Most Popular Social Media in Russia
Starting in July 2023, Telegram became the most popular social media platform in Russia.
July 2023: Large-Scale Prepaid Task Fraud on Telegram Impacts Thousands in India
July 2023 saw the uncovering of a massive scam orchestrated through Telegram in India, where 15,000 people were defrauded of ₹712 crore through deceptive "prepaid tasks", with investigations revealing links to China and cryptocurrency-based money laundering.
July 2023: Telegram Surpasses 800 Million Monthly Active Users
By July 2023, Telegram had more than 800 million monthly active users.
September 2023: Singapore Police Report Significant Losses From Telegram Job Scams
In September 2023, Singapore authorities reported that over 6,600 citizens had fallen victim to job scams operating on Telegram and WhatsApp, resulting in losses exceeding S$96.8 million since the year's start.
December 2023: Telegram Holds 46.8% Market Share in Russia
Telegram held a 46.8% market share in Russia as of December 2023.
2023: Expanded Payment Options for Premium
In 2023, Telegram diversified payment options for Premium, allowing in-app purchases, direct acquisition through the @PremiumBot, cryptocurrency payments, gifting subscriptions, and even giveaways.
March 2024: Telegram Raises \$330 Million in Additional Bond Sale
Further strengthening its independence and ability to compete with larger companies in the industry, Telegram conducted another bond sale in March 2024, raising \$330 million.
March 2024: Spanish Court Briefly Orders Telegram Blockade Over Copyright Concerns
March 2024 saw a Spanish court temporarily order a nationwide block on Telegram following complaints from media companies about copyright infringement. This order faced criticism and was swiftly lifted pending further investigation, eventually being annulled as "disproportionate".
March 2024: Telegram Surpasses 900 Million Monthly Active Users
Telegram reached over 900 million monthly active users in March 2024.
April 19, 2024: Telegram Removed from Chinese App Store
On April 19, 2024, Apple removed Telegram from the App Store in China.
2024: Smartphone Registration Requirement Introduced
As of 2024, Telegram made smartphone registration mandatory for new users.