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http://git.nowherejezfoltodf4jiyl6r56jnzintap5vyjlia7fkirfsnfizflqd.onion/nihilist/opsec-blogposts.git
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59 lines
2.8 KiB
Markdown
59 lines
2.8 KiB
Markdown
---
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author: jorgesumle
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date: 2025-05-28
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gitea_url: "http://git.nowherejezfoltodf4jiyl6r56jnzintap5vyjlia7fkirfsnfizflqd.onion/nihilist/blog-contributions/issues/277"
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xmr: 4AVrC3LT4Ad7DCK5L8MDfWfMeiTqDYJnWDAKGE1jJNbn7pBmFGay81C5sKcci9pwkXRRBexM5JKyVUTEPWvvZTAJ3WeAAex
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---
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# Why can't you use Telegram privately
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Telegram dangerously gives some people a false sense of privacy that is
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in no way warranted. This is mainly due to misleading advertising:
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Telegram claims to be open source and end-to-end encrypted. Even if
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these deceptive statements were truth, the popular messaging app has
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other serious issues that compromise your privacy.
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## Closed-source, centralized and not encrypted: a privacy nightmare
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Only the Telegram client code is open source, but that code is useless
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without the back-end closed-source programs and infrastructure. Those
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core components are **controlled by a single company** that can be forced to
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comply with authorities. In August 2024, Telegram CEO was arrested by
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French authorities who demanded information on users of the app. He gave
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in, showing the world that your private conversation, phone number, IP
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address, pictures and so on are not safe.
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A big problem is that messages on Telegram aren't encrypted by default,
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so users are an easy prey. They could start a "secret chat", but that
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feature is not available on desktop or web clients and would surely
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raise suspicion. The problem with optional privacy is that it makes
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users who opt out stand out in the crowd.
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## You will be tracked
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Better forget it if you want to be anonymous on Telegram. Before you
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can even start chatting you must provide a phone number, which can be
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easily linked to your real identity. The only workaround would be to use
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a burner phone. Even then, you would have to be technologically savvy to
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install a privacy-respecting open source mobile operating system and
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avoid being tracked by cellphone networks. Using a pseudonym and
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avoiding sharing personal information would be pointless at that point.
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In short, it is practically impossible to use Telegram with privacy or
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anonymity, so it can only be used for public use. If someone invites you
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to use Telegram to discuss sensitive topics, refuse. Instead tell them
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to do it in person or use an open source, decentralized and anonymous
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alternative such as SimpleX.
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## Why SimpleX
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Unlike Telegram, SimpleX does not require users to provide a phone
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number. It is designed with strong privacy and security features,
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ensuring that your messages remain confidential and are not stored on
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any central server. It offers end-to-end encryption and minimal metadata
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collection, making it a robust choice for those who prioritize privacy
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and security in their communications. If you want to achieve secure,
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decentralized, and privacy-focused communication, SimpleX is a great
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option.
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