Data Accessibility for Developers via Telegram's API

[mostakimvip06]

Telegram offers developers powerful APIs to build a wide range of applications, from simple messaging bots to sophisticated custom clients. The data accessible through these APIs is carefully designed to empower developers while upholding Telegram's strong privacy principles. There are primarily two main APIs to consider: the Bot API and the Telegram API (MTProto), which is typically accessed through the Telegram Database Library (TDLib). Each provides different levels of data access and functionality.

1. Telegram Bot API:

This is the most common and accessible API for telegram data developers, designed specifically for building automated programs (bots) that interact with users and Telegram's platform. The data accessible via the Bot API is primarily focused on messages and user interactions within the context of the bot itself.

Message Content: Bots can receive and send various message types, including text, photos, videos, documents, audio, voice notes, stickers, locations, contacts, polls, and even games. They can access the content of messages sent to them directly or in groups where they are members (depending on privacy settings).
User Information (Limited): When a user interacts with a bot, the bot can access basic information about that user, such as their user_id, first_name, last_name, and username (if set). However, bots do not have access to a user's phone number or any other private identifying information unless the user explicitly shares it (e.g., via a special keyboard button requesting contact information).
Chat Information: Bots can access details about the chat they are in, including chat_id, chat_type (private, group, supergroup, channel), and for groups/channels, their title and username (if public).
Group and Channel Administration: Bots with administrative rights in a group or channel can perform actions like banning/unbanning members, restricting permissions, promoting/demoting members, editing chat titles/descriptions, and managing invite links. This implies access to member IDs and their roles within those chats.
File Information: When files (photos, videos, documents, etc.) are sent to a bot, it receives a file_id which can be used to download the file from Telegram's servers. Bots do not directly access the user's local files.
Inline Queries and Callback Queries: Bots can process inline queries (when users type @botname query in any chat) and callback queries (when users tap on inline keyboard buttons), gaining access to the query text or data associated with the button.
Webhook and Long Polling Data: Developers can configure their bots to receive updates (new messages, callback queries, etc.) either via webhooks (Telegram sends updates to a specified URL) or long polling (the bot periodically asks Telegram for new updates). The data delivered through these methods includes the message objects and related information described above.
Mini Apps Data: With the introduction of Telegram Mini Apps (HTML5 web apps that run within Telegram), bots can access specific data that the Mini App explicitly sends back, including user information (with user consent), device storage data, and other custom data generated by the Mini App.
2. Telegram API (MTProto) and TDLib:

For developers who want to build full-fledged custom Telegram clients (like Telegram Desktop or mobile apps), the core Telegram API (MTProto protocol) and its wrapper library, TDLib (Telegram Database Library), offer a much deeper level of access. This is significantly more complex to use than the Bot API.

Full User Data (with user authorization): A custom client built with TDLib, after user authorization (login with phone number and verification code), has access to the user's entire chat history (including secret chats if they are part of the client), contacts, personal information (profile pictures, bios), and all message content. This is essentially the same data an official Telegram client has.
Comprehensive Chat Management: This includes granular control over all types of chats, including private chats, groups, supergroups, and channels, with the ability to manage message history, members, settings, and more.
Advanced Features: Developers can implement all Telegram features, such as voice and video calls, managing Telegram Passport data, sticker sets, animated emoji, and more, as TDLib aims to cover the entire Telegram API.
Local Data Storage: TDLib handles local caching and encryption of user data, allowing custom clients to function offline and providing persistent access to messages and media.
In summary, the Bot API offers a controlled and limited view, primarily focused on bot-user interactions and public chat content where the bot is involved. The Telegram API/TDLib provides comprehensive access, allowing developers to build complete, custom Telegram clients that mimic the functionality of official apps, but this requires robust handling of user data and adherence to privacy best practices. Telegram emphasizes that developers using either API must comply with their Terms of Service and API Guidelines, especially regarding data privacy and security.