Telegram’s Controversial New Feature: Free Premium Membership in Exchange for Phone Number Usage
Telegram, the popular instant messaging app, has recently introduced a new feature that has raised eyebrows among privacy advocates. The feature offers users a free premium membership if they allow the app to use their phone number as a relay for sending one-time SMS passwords to other users trying to log into the platform. This has sparked concerns about potential privacy risks and the exposure of personal information.
How the Feature Works
The new feature, initially spotted by the TGInfoEn Telegram channel and later confirmed by reverse engineer AssembleDebug, is currently being rolled out to Telegram for Android users in select countries. If a user agrees to let Telegram use their number as an OTP (one-time password) relay, the company will provide them with a transferable code for Telegram Premium.
Terms of Service and Potential Costs
According to the terms of service for this peer-to-peer login program, Telegram will send a maximum of 150 OTP messages per month using the participating user’s phone number. Users may also be charged for local and international SMS usage, which could potentially result in a higher phone bill than the value of the premium membership itself.
Privacy Concerns
The most significant issue with this feature is the potential breach of privacy. By allowing strangers to use your phone number as a relay, you may be exposing yourself to spam and fraud. Although Telegram allows users to hide their phone numbers from strangers, participating in this program could make it possible for others to look up your Telegram account using your phone number.
“You acknowledge and agree that Telegram shall bear no liability for any costs, expenses, damages, or any other adverse or otherwise unforeseen consequences that you may incur as a direct or indirect consequence of your present or past participation in the P2PL Program.”
The terms of service also state that users participating in the program will not hold Telegram liable for any damages and give the company absolute indemnity from all claims related to peer-to-peer login. While Telegram advises users not to engage with people who receive an OTP code from their number, there is no way to enforce this guideline.
Telegram’s Premium Features
Telegram launched its subscription service two years ago, offering features such as transcription, exclusive stickers, reactions, and other customizations. More recently, the app has introduced Stories for paid users.
Is It Worth the Risk?
While the prospect of a free premium membership may be tempting, users should carefully consider whether giving out their phone number to strangers is worth the potential risks. The exposure of personal information and the possibility of spam and fraud may outweigh the benefits of saving a few dollars on a subscription.
3 Comments
Telegram’s taking “peer pressure” to a whole new level with that move, wild!
Sounds like Telegram’s flirting with disaster, doesn’t it
So Telegram decided to play with fire by making privacy a game of chance, huh!