Telegram's Security Called Into Question Following Pavel Durov's Viral Interview

An interview with Telegram founder Pavel Durov that went viral on social media raised alarm over the messaging platform's security.

In a widely spread video on X, Durov informs Tucker Carlson that he is the lone product manager and employs "about 30 engineers" in Telegram.

Security experts worry about Durov's words, which might expose users. Matthew Green, a cryptography specialist at Johns Hopkins, noted that Telegram poses a "security nightmare" with its "Ugly targets, UAE servers, and no end-to-end encryption."

Green means Telegram's default chats aren't end-to-end encrypted like Signal or WhatsApp. For end-to-end encryption, users must start a "Secret Chat." Durov's brother developed Telegram's encryption technology, which has faced questions over time.

Telegram is a chat software and social networking platform. According to Electronic Frontier Foundation cybersecurity director Eva Galperin, it is "sitting on an enormous amount of user data," thus 30 engineers are not enough to address "content moderation issues" and abuse.

Cyber Criminals Target Telegram Due to Security Vulnerability

Galperin added that Telegram's technical team is underfunded and overworked, making it an appealing target for attackers. Telegram may struggle to fight against hackers, especially government-backed ones, because of its limited personnel.

Telegram poses serious security and privacy threats, according to an assessment by online security firm Guardio, noting the app has become a cybercrime hub, threatening users' phones and data.

According to a Forbes report, Telegram has become a venue for experienced and amateur hackers to share illicit tools and information, according to Guardio. Phishing kits, lessons, and hackers-for-hire are now available on the app. This change makes complete, harmful campaigns easier for attackers.

These freely available Telegram tools have contributed to the rise of phishing assaults, where bogus emails appear to emanate from trustworthy institutions like banks or service providers.

Anti-Terror Police Caught Selling Private Data Over Telegram

TechTimes earlier reported that two top Bangladeshi anti-terror police officers of selling classified civilian data to criminals over Telegram.

Brigadier General Mohammad Baker, head of Bangladesh's National Telecommunications Monitoring Center, said that the two police officers sold national IDs, mobile phone call logs, and other sensitive data.

Bake said their agency is investigating, and the Ministry of Home Affairs wanted the two police officers punished.

According to a Bengali letter dated April 28, the senior secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Public Security Division alleges that two police operatives sold private Telegram data for profit. Investigators identified the agents by studying NTMC system records and noted frequent data access.

In 2021, the United States sanctioned the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB 6) for illegal deaths and disappearances, and one of the accused is an assistant police superintendent deputy. Due to prospective accusations, the report disguised the accused's identity.