To get encryption one must start a “secret chat”, which many users likely don’t even know exists. It’s an opt-in! Regular users will not even know the option exists, that’s how well hidden it is.
The main differences between a regular chat and a secret chat in Telegram, from a security standpoint, are:
End-to-End Encryption
• Regular Chat: Messages are encrypted client-server-server-client, meaning Telegram servers can technically access the content.
• Secret Chat: Messages are end-to-end encrypted, so only you and the recipient can read them. Not even Telegram can decrypt them.
Cloud Storage
• Regular Chat: Messages are stored in the cloud. You can access them from any device logged into your Telegram account.
• Secret Chat: Messages are device-specific and not stored in the cloud. They can only be read on the devices where the secret chat was initiated.
Self-Destruct Timer
• Regular Chat: No self-destruct functionality.
• Secret Chat: You can set a self-destruct timer for messages after they’re read.
Forwarding
• Regular Chat: Messages can be freely forwarded.
• Secret Chat: Messages cannot be forwarded.
Screenshots
• Regular Chat: Screenshots are not restricted or notified.
• Secret Chat: Telegram tries to prevent or notify about screenshots (depends on the OS).
Summary:
Use secret chats if you need maximum privacy, as they’re more secure and don’t rely on Telegram’s servers to store message content. However, they’re less convenient because you lose cloud sync and multi-device support.
original_reader@lemmy.zip 3 months ago
blog.cryptographyengineering.com/…/telegram-is-no…
To get encryption one must start a “secret chat”, which many users likely don’t even know exists. It’s an opt-in! Regular users will not even know the option exists, that’s how well hidden it is.
Regular chats? Plainly readable on the server.
romantired@shibanu.app 3 months ago
The main differences between a regular chat and a secret chat in Telegram, from a security standpoint, are:
End-to-End Encryption • Regular Chat: Messages are encrypted client-server-server-client, meaning Telegram servers can technically access the content. • Secret Chat: Messages are end-to-end encrypted, so only you and the recipient can read them. Not even Telegram can decrypt them.
Cloud Storage • Regular Chat: Messages are stored in the cloud. You can access them from any device logged into your Telegram account. • Secret Chat: Messages are device-specific and not stored in the cloud. They can only be read on the devices where the secret chat was initiated.
Self-Destruct Timer • Regular Chat: No self-destruct functionality. • Secret Chat: You can set a self-destruct timer for messages after they’re read.
Forwarding • Regular Chat: Messages can be freely forwarded. • Secret Chat: Messages cannot be forwarded.
Screenshots • Regular Chat: Screenshots are not restricted or notified. • Secret Chat: Telegram tries to prevent or notify about screenshots (depends on the OS).
Summary:
Use secret chats if you need maximum privacy, as they’re more secure and don’t rely on Telegram’s servers to store message content. However, they’re less convenient because you lose cloud sync and multi-device support.