Telegram is a popular cloud-based messaging platform known for its focus on speed, flexibility, and privacy. One unique characteristic of Telegram is that it requires users to sign up using a mobile number. This raises an important question for privacy-conscious individuals: How does Telegram handle mobile number privacy?
In this article, we’ll explore how Telegram uses, protects, and allows users to control their mobile number privacy.
Why Does Telegram Require a Phone Number?
Telegram requires a mobile number for account creation to:
-
Verify your identity via SMS or phone call.
-
Prevent spam and bot accounts by ensuring that each user has a unique, verifiable identity.
-
Enable contact syncing, allowing recent mobile phone number data you to find friends who are also on Telegram.
However, unlike platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram does not use your phone number as your username or public identifier. Instead, it provides several privacy features to hide or manage how your number is used and who can see it.
Telegram’s Mobile Number Privacy Features
1. Control Who Can See Your Number
Telegram gives you direct control over who can view your mobile number. You can the future of phone number list marketing access this setting under:
Settings > Privacy and Security > Phone Number
There are three main options:
-
Everybody: Anyone can see your number.
-
My Contacts: Only users in your contact list can view your number.
-
Nobody: No one can see your number, even your contacts.
Additionally, Telegram allows you to create exceptions:
-
Add exceptions to hide your number from specific contacts.
-
Allow exceptions to let only certain people see your number, even if the global setting is “Nobody.”
2. Finding You by Phone Number
Under the same settings section, provides options for who can find your account via your phone number. This prevents strangers from discovering hong kong data your profile just by having your number.
You can choose:
-
Everybody
-
My Contacts
-
Nobody
This is especially useful if your number has been leaked in a data breach or shared online.
3. Username Instead of Number
Telegram lets you create a public username, which acts as your unique ID. This means:
-
Others can contact you via your username, not your phone number.
-
You can join groups, receive messages, or be mentioned in channels without ever exposing your number.
For example, someone can message @JohnDoe123 without knowing that user’s actual number.
This feature is ideal for people who want to communicate without revealing their personal information.