Telegram is among the world's most popular messaging apps, which has gained widespread attention both for its security features and for the increasing misuse of the service. Conceived originally to provide a means of security and encrypted communication, the platform has grown into a space where not just ordinary users but also criminals, extremists, and terrorists operate. While encryption and privacy options on Telegram are highly praised, it has also been exploited for illegal activities.
Telegram supports several features that may support its appeal for privacy awareness, including end-to-end encryption, offering secret chats, and allowing messages to be set for automatic destruction after a certain period. The system also allows for the creation of large groups and channels where users can anonymize their communications.
Telegram is quite a powerful means of communication, with over 700 million users. Such popularity comes at an expensive cost, as it has been used by criminals and extremists in coordinating their activities and communicating without being tracked by authorities.
Criminals utilize telegram to commit drug trafficking and other serious offenses like human trafficking and cybercrime. Now, dark web markets have shifted to Telegram channels to resale weapons, drugs, stolen data, and fake currency are included.
The structure of telegram allows these markets to survive. Unlike other platforms, telegram never forces its users to identify themselves and as such, the authorities can't trace the individuals who are running such illegal operations. Additionally, telegram doesn’t require to verify a user’s identity, making difficult interception or monitoring by third parties.
The founders of Telegram have long defended the commitment of the platform to free speech and privacy. However, these commendable goals come at a cost of significant challenges in regulating harmful content. Efforts to shut illegal activity on Telegram often happen proactively, with law enforcement agencies struggling to keep pace with the constant creation of new channels and groups.
Telegram cooperates with law enforcement on some occasions, even though the platform has been misused. However, the full regulation of such apps is very challenging due to their decentralized nature. The Governments of different parts of the world have raised grave concerns regarding its role in facilitating crimes and extremist activities, demanding more regulative laws and accountability for such platforms.
Unique features have made Telegram a destination for those who seek privacy and security. Within the same time, it has also become a reliable platform for individuals, seeking an uncensored platform, such as criminals, extremists, and terrorists.
While Telegram has tried to crack down on certain illegal activities, its decentralized nature and commitment to user privacy mean this will be an ongoing battle.
Telegram's rapid growth of fame as one of the most popular messaging apps, with major credits to its strong security and privacy features, it has also become a reliable app for criminal elements. Its end-to-end encryption, secret chats, and self-destructing messages are strong points that have equally been used for criminal activities. Besides, its large groups and channels, of anonymous members, have helped in the coordination of drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybercrime, and other serious offenses.
The main hindrance in regulating Telegram is its decentralized structure, as well as the commitment of this platform to privacy and free speech. While Telegram has made attempts at cooperating with law enforcement to try and combat such illegal activities, it mostly lags behind the fast proliferation of new channels and groups dedicated to such illicit activities. This gets further complicated by the refusal of this platform to enforce stringent identity verification which further complicates the task of monitoring and interception by authorities.