What Data Is Collected When a User Signs Up for Telegram?

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Telegram is widely recognized for its strong emphasis on privacy and security, but like any messaging platform, it collects some data when a user signs up. Understanding what data Telegram collects during registration is crucial for users who want to know what personal information they share and how it might be used.

Phone Number: The Core Identifier
When a user signs up for Telegram, the primary telegram data piece of data collected is the phone number. Telegram uses phone numbers as a unique identifier to create accounts and to help users connect with their contacts. Unlike many platforms that use emails or usernames as primary IDs, Telegram’s reliance on phone numbers ties the user’s identity directly to their mobile device.

The phone number is necessary for account verification. Telegram sends a code via SMS or call to the provided number to confirm ownership. This step is crucial to prevent impersonation and unauthorized access.

Contact List Access (Optional but Common)
During signup, Telegram often requests access to the user’s contact list. This is optional, but many users allow it because Telegram uses contacts to identify which of the user’s friends are also on the platform, making it easier to connect and chat.

If permitted, Telegram temporarily uploads hashed versions of the phone numbers in the contact list to its servers to compare and find matches. This process is designed to maintain some privacy by hashing phone numbers rather than uploading them in plain text, but it still involves sending data to Telegram’s servers.

Basic Profile Information
Once registered, users typically set up a username, profile photo, and bio. This information is optional but becomes part of the user’s public profile. Telegram stores this data on its servers to enable other users to find and recognize contacts. Unlike phone numbers, usernames can be used to connect without sharing your phone number publicly.

Device Information and IP Address
Telegram collects device information such as the type of device, operating system, app version, and language settings during signup. This data helps Telegram optimize the app’s performance and user experience across different platforms.

Additionally, Telegram logs the user’s IP address during account creation. IP addresses can give general location data and help detect suspicious activity, prevent abuse, and maintain security. However, Telegram states that it limits how long it stores IP addresses to enhance user privacy.

Metadata and Usage Data
Telegram may also collect metadata related to user activity during signup and beyond. This can include timestamps of logins, connection history, and interactions with the app. Metadata does not include message content but can reveal patterns about user behavior.

Data Protection and Privacy Policies
Telegram emphasizes that it does not sell user data to advertisers or third parties. It uses the collected data primarily to provide the service, improve features, and ensure security. Importantly, Telegram differentiates between Cloud Chats and Secret Chats in terms of data encryption and storage, with Secret Chats being end-to-end encrypted and not stored on servers.

Summary
In summary, the key data Telegram collects when a user signs up includes the phone number, optionally the contact list, basic profile information, device details, IP address, and some metadata related to app usage. While Telegram collects this data to facilitate communication, security, and usability, it maintains a privacy-focused stance by not monetizing this data and offering end-to-end encryption for sensitive conversations. For users mindful of privacy, understanding this data collection process helps make informed choices about how they use Telegram and which features they enable.