by Telegram FZ-LLC · Communication · ★ 3.9
"When users pay to unlock a channel post, a permanent copy is created which resides in the parties' transaction history. This copy remains accessible even if the post is later deleted or either party loses access to the channel."
Paid channel posts create permanent copies that cannot be deleted by the content creator, removing the author's ability to fully control or retract their content.
"Since Telegram may rely on Google LLC or Microsoft Corporation for automatic translation of messages, the text of any message or set of messages that users choose to translate may be shared with Google or Microsoft in order to obtain their translated versions. Since Telegram may rely on a third party, Google LLC, subsidiary of Alphabet Inc, for voice-to-text conversion, the audio data of voice and video messages that users choose to convert to text may be shared with Google in order to obtain their transcribed versions."
Telegram shares message text and audio data with Google and Microsoft when users use translation or transcription features. While user-initiated, the policy permits sending private message content to major third-party companies.
"To improve the security of your account, as well as to prevent spam, abuse, and other violations of our Terms of Service, we may collect metadata such as your IP address, devices and Telegram apps you've used, history of username changes, etc. If collected, this metadata can be kept for 12 months maximum."
Telegram retains IP addresses, device information, and other metadata for up to 12 months. The scope of collected metadata is open-ended ('etc.') rather than exhaustively defined.
"We will review and may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes to this Privacy Policy will become effective when we post the revised Privacy Policy on this page www.telegram.org/privacy. Please check our website frequently to see any updates or changes to our Privacy Policy."
Telegram can update its privacy policy at any time, with changes taking effect immediately upon posting. Users are expected to check the website themselves, with no requirement for affirmative consent.
"If you are using Android, Telegram will ask you for permission to access your phone call logs (READ_CALL_LOG). If you grant this permission, Telegram will be able verify your account by transmitting a phone call instead of asking you to enter a code. Telegram uses this permission only to confirm receipt of the confirmation call by verifying the number in the call log."
Telegram requests access to phone call logs on Android, which grants broad access to call history even though it's only stated to be used for login verification.
"If you share your Live Location in any chat or turn on 'Make Myself Visible' in People Nearby, Telegram will use your data to display your location to those users with whom you are sharing it, even when the app is closed – for as long as you keep these optional features activated."
When Live Location or People Nearby is enabled, Telegram tracks and shares your location continuously, even when the app is closed, until you manually disable the feature.
"By default, if you stop using Telegram and do not come online for at least 18 months, your account will be deleted along with all messages, media, contacts and every other piece of data you store in the Telegram cloud."
Telegram automatically and irreversibly deletes accounts and all associated data after 18 months of inactivity, which could result in unexpected data loss for users who take extended breaks.
"To improve the security of your account, as well as to prevent spam, abuse, and other violations of our Terms of Service, we may collect metadata such as your IP address, devices and Telegram apps you've used, history of username changes, etc."
Telegram collects metadata about all devices and apps used to access the service, enabling cross-device tracking of user activity.