Telegram, one of the most popular instant messengers in the world, introduced a new feature that caused heated discussions and concerns among users. The company offers a free premium subscription to those who agree to provide their phone number to send one-time SMS passwords to other people when trying to log in to Telegram. The function was named Peer-to-Peer Login or P2PL.
The innovation was first noticed by the Telegram channel TGInfoEn with the submission of the reverse engineer assembleDebug. Currently, the feature is only available for Android users in some countries. According to the terms of use of this feature, the company will be able to send no more than 150 SMS messages per month from the program participant's number.
To get a free premium subscription, you must reach a certain quota of sent SMS passwords. However, there is a potential financial trap here. A telecom operator can charge its subscriber for sending such a large number of SMS messages to local and international numbers, which in the end can cost more than the cost of the premium subscription itself.
A more serious concern is the risks to user data privacy. Revealing the phone number makes it available for viewing by other people using Telegram. And coupled with the fact that everyone will know that the management of the messenger adheres to this practice of "renting" phone numbers from its users, all this can lead to an aggravation of such phenomena as spam, fraudulent calls and messages.
Telegram allows users to hide their phone number from strangers, but participation in the new program, in fact, eliminates this possibility. Malefactors will easily be able to use the received numbers to commit illegal actions.
In the terms of use of the SMS password transfer service, Telegram stipulates that the company is not responsible for any losses, expenses, damages or other negative consequences that may arise as a result of users ' participation in this program. In fact, users themselves give the company full immunity from any legal claims.
"You understand and agree that Telegram is not responsible for any costs, expenses, losses or other adverse or unforeseen consequences that you may incur as a result of your current or past participation in the P2PL program," the terms of use of the new feature state.
Telegram recommends that you avoid contacting people who receive SMS passwords from your phone number. However, in practice, the company cannot really control this situation.
Two years ago, Telegram launched a paid premium subscription that offers users additional features such as audio - to-text transcription, increased download limits, exclusive stickers, reactions, story recording, and other features.
Thus, the introduction of the new program puts users in front of a choice: get a premium subscription for free, but at the cost of revealing their phone number to strangers, or pay for a subscription, but keep their personal data confidential.
Do you think saving a few dollars is worth putting your privacy at risk? Everyone will find the answer for themselves.
The innovation was first noticed by the Telegram channel TGInfoEn with the submission of the reverse engineer assembleDebug. Currently, the feature is only available for Android users in some countries. According to the terms of use of this feature, the company will be able to send no more than 150 SMS messages per month from the program participant's number.
To get a free premium subscription, you must reach a certain quota of sent SMS passwords. However, there is a potential financial trap here. A telecom operator can charge its subscriber for sending such a large number of SMS messages to local and international numbers, which in the end can cost more than the cost of the premium subscription itself.
A more serious concern is the risks to user data privacy. Revealing the phone number makes it available for viewing by other people using Telegram. And coupled with the fact that everyone will know that the management of the messenger adheres to this practice of "renting" phone numbers from its users, all this can lead to an aggravation of such phenomena as spam, fraudulent calls and messages.
Telegram allows users to hide their phone number from strangers, but participation in the new program, in fact, eliminates this possibility. Malefactors will easily be able to use the received numbers to commit illegal actions.
In the terms of use of the SMS password transfer service, Telegram stipulates that the company is not responsible for any losses, expenses, damages or other negative consequences that may arise as a result of users ' participation in this program. In fact, users themselves give the company full immunity from any legal claims.
"You understand and agree that Telegram is not responsible for any costs, expenses, losses or other adverse or unforeseen consequences that you may incur as a result of your current or past participation in the P2PL program," the terms of use of the new feature state.
Telegram recommends that you avoid contacting people who receive SMS passwords from your phone number. However, in practice, the company cannot really control this situation.
Two years ago, Telegram launched a paid premium subscription that offers users additional features such as audio - to-text transcription, increased download limits, exclusive stickers, reactions, story recording, and other features.
Thus, the introduction of the new program puts users in front of a choice: get a premium subscription for free, but at the cost of revealing their phone number to strangers, or pay for a subscription, but keep their personal data confidential.
Do you think saving a few dollars is worth putting your privacy at risk? Everyone will find the answer for themselves.
