Data Collected When Accessing Telegram Through a Web Browser

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When users access Telegram through a web browser (via web.telegram.org or a desktop client that leverages web technologies), the data collected falls into several categories, including information handled by Telegram itself and data that is inherently collected by the web browser and the internet infrastructure. It's crucial to differentiate between these two.

1. Data Collected by Telegram (via Web Client):

Telegram's web client functions as an interface to its telegram data cloud-based messaging service. As such, the data it handles aligns with what Telegram collects regardless of the client used, but with specific considerations for a web environment.

Account Data: When you log in, Telegram verifies your phone number and uses your basic account data (profile name, profile picture, username, about information) to identify you and connect you to your chats. This is consistent across all Telegram clients.
Messages (Cloud Chats): For regular "Cloud Chats" (most individual and group chats), messages, photos, videos, and documents are stored on Telegram's servers. When you access these via the web browser, this data is fetched from Telegram's cloud and displayed in your browser. Telegram maintains that these are heavily encrypted on their servers.
Metadata: As with other clients, Telegram will collect metadata related to your web browser usage, including:
IP Address: Your device's IP address, which helps Telegram route your messages and identify your general location.
Device Information: Information about the browser you're using (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari), its version, and your operating system. This helps Telegram optimize the web client for different environments.
Connection Times and Activity: When you log in, log out, and are actively using the web client.
Session Information: To maintain your login session, Telegram sets cookies or uses local storage in your browser to store authentication tokens. These tokens allow you to remain logged in without re-entering your credentials every time you open the web client.
User Preferences: Settings you configure within the web client (e.g., notification preferences, theme choices) are stored locally in your browser's storage or synced with your Telegram account in the cloud.
2. Data Collected by the Web Browser and Internet Infrastructure:

Beyond what Telegram itself collects, the act of using any website, including Telegram's web client, involves data collection by your web browser and the underlying internet infrastructure.

Browser-Specific Data:
Cookies: While Telegram itself claims not to use cookies for advertising, the browser itself will manage cookies for the website, including session cookies to keep you logged in.
Cache: Your browser will cache elements of the Telegram web interface (images, scripts, stylesheets) to speed up loading times.
Browser History: The URL of Telegram Web will be recorded in your browser's history.
Local Storage/IndexedDB: Browsers can use these mechanisms to store larger amounts of data locally for web applications, potentially including some temporary chat data or user preferences for faster access.
Internet Service Provider (ISP) Data: Your ISP can see that you are connecting to Telegram's servers (specifically, web.telegram.org or their API endpoints). While they won't see the content of your encrypted communications with Telegram's servers, they can see the volume of data transferred and the timing of your connections.
Network Equipment Data: Routers, firewalls, and other network devices between your device and Telegram's servers may log connection information, including source and destination IP addresses.
Important Considerations for Web Access:

No Secret Chats: Telegram's Secret Chats, which offer true end-to-end encryption and device-specific keys, are generally not available through the web client due to the inherent security limitations of a web browser environment. They are typically tied to mobile or desktop applications where cryptographic keys can be more securely managed.
Browser Security: The security of your Telegram web session also depends heavily on the security of your web browser itself. Vulnerabilities in the browser, extensions, or your operating system could potentially compromise your session.
Phishing Risk: Users accessing Telegram through a web browser must be particularly vigilant about phishing attempts, ensuring they are always on the legitimate web.telegram.org domain.
In summary, while Telegram strives for privacy, using its web client means that the data collected extends beyond just Telegram's direct practices to include standard web Browse data collection by the browser and your ISP. For the most secure and private experience, Telegram generally recommends using its dedicated desktop or mobile applications, especially if Secret Chats are a priority.