Does Telegram Use User Data for Targeted Advertising?

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Telegram has grown into one of the most popular messaging apps worldwide, attracting millions of users with its focus on privacy, security, and fast communication. However, as concerns about data privacy grow, many users wonder: does Telegram use user data for targeted advertising, either directly or indirectly?

The short answer is no — Telegram does not currently telegram data use user data for targeted advertising. Unlike many other messaging platforms, Telegram has positioned itself as a privacy-centric service. It does not scan your messages or share your personal information with third-party advertisers to deliver ads tailored to your interests.

Telegram’s Privacy-First Approach
Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, has been vocal about resisting monetization strategies that rely on exploiting user data. The app’s privacy policy explicitly states that Telegram does not sell user data or use it for targeted ads. The platform is funded primarily through donations and a recent introduction of optional paid features for power users, such as premium subscriptions.

Telegram encrypts messages in “secret chats” using end-to-end encryption, meaning only the sender and receiver can read them. Regular cloud chats are stored encrypted on Telegram’s servers, but even there, the company claims it does not use the contents for advertising purposes. The infrastructure and business model are designed to avoid harvesting data for ad targeting.

No Targeted Ads on Telegram
Currently, Telegram does not run traditional targeted advertising campaigns within its app ecosystem. It does have some limited advertising in large public channels, called “Sponsored Messages,” but these are not personalized or based on user data. Sponsored Messages appear in large channels with over 1000 members and are designed to respect user privacy by not collecting or analyzing personal information.

This means that Telegram’s advertising model is fundamentally different from platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Google, which rely heavily on tracking user behavior and demographics to deliver tailored ads. Telegram explicitly avoids such practices, which has earned it praise among privacy advocates.

Indirect Use of Data?
Some users worry about indirect ways Telegram might use data for advertising. For example, while Telegram doesn’t scan messages for ads, it does collect certain metadata — such as phone numbers, contacts you sync, IP addresses, and usage logs — to ensure service functionality and security. However, the company maintains that this data is not used for advertising or sold to third parties.

In addition, Telegram’s open API allows third-party developers to create bots and integrations, which might collect data depending on how users interact with them. While Telegram does not control these bots’ data policies, users are advised to be cautious about what information they share with third-party services.

Future Outlook
In recent years, Telegram has explored new revenue streams, including premium subscriptions and potentially non-intrusive advertising in public channels. Pavel Durov has emphasized that any future monetization efforts will uphold the privacy-first ethos and avoid targeted advertising. Therefore, users can expect Telegram to continue prioritizing user privacy over aggressive data monetization.

Conclusion
Telegram currently does not use user data for targeted advertising, either directly or indirectly. Its business model, encryption policies, and public statements underline a commitment to privacy and avoiding ad-based revenue models that exploit personal information. While some metadata is collected for technical purposes, Telegram explicitly avoids personalized ad targeting, distinguishing it from many other messaging platforms. For users concerned about privacy and data exploitation, Telegram remains a strong choice, especially compared to ad-driven social networks and messaging apps.