Telegram vs. Signal: A Comparison

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In the realm of secure messaging, Telegram and Signal are often pitted against each other as leading alternatives to more data-hungry platforms. While both offer robust encryption and a commitment to user privacy, their fundamental approaches to data handling and encryption differ significantly, making them suitable for varying privacy needs.


The most critical distinction lies in their default encryption methods. Signal champions end-to-end encryption (E2EE) by default for all communications – every message, call, and file sent on Signal is automatically encrypted on the sender's device and can only be decrypted by the recipient's device. Signal utilizes the Signal Protocol, an open-source, peer-reviewed cryptographic protocol widely regarded by security experts as the gold standard for secure communication. This means that even Signal, the company, cannot access the content of your communications.


Telegram, on the other hand, employs a more layered approach. Its "Secret Chats" offer end-to-end encryption, similar to Signal. In these chats, the encryption keys are stored only on the participating devices, and messages are not stored on Telegram's servers. However, Telegram's standard "Cloud Chats" (which include all telegram data group chats) are not end-to-end encrypted by default. Instead, they use client-to-server/server-to-client encryption. While this means messages are encrypted in transit and at rest on Telegram's servers, Telegram technically holds the encryption keys for these chats. This design choice facilitates convenient multi-device syncing and cloud storage of chat history, but it also introduces a theoretical vulnerability: if Telegram's servers were compromised or if they were compelled by a legal authority, regular chat data could potentially be accessed by them.


Data Collection and Metadata:

This area further highlights their divergent philosophies. Signal is renowned for its minimal data collection. It explicitly states that it is "designed to never collect or store any sensitive information." Signal primarily collects only your phone number for registration and the date of your account creation and last connection timestamp (but not the exact times). It does not record who you message, when, or for how long. This "privacy by design" approach extends to its contact discovery, which uses secure methods to determine which of your contacts are on Signal without revealing your entire contact list to the server.



Telegram, while more privacy-conscious than many, collects more metadata than Signal. It collects your phone number, profile name, profile picture, and any chosen username. For cloud chats, it stores messages and media on its servers. It also collects IP addresses and information about the devices and Telegram apps you use, retaining this metadata for up to 12 months for "fraud or security issues." A recent policy change in 2024 further clarified that Telegram will share IP addresses and phone numbers of users suspected of criminal activities with relevant authorities if presented with a valid legal order, a step Signal has historically resisted.



Open Source and Audits:

Signal's commitment to transparency is evident in its fully open-source codebase, including both its client applications and the underlying Signal Protocol. This allows independent security researchers to audit the code for vulnerabilities, fostering trust and accountability. Telegram's client applications are open-source, but its custom-built MTProto encryption protocol is not fully open to public scrutiny, raising some concerns among a segment of the cybersecurity community who prefer universally vetted and open standards.


Conclusion:

For users prioritizing the absolute highest level of privacy and security, particularly for sensitive one-on-one communications, Signal is the clear winner. Its default end-to-end encryption for everything, minimal metadata collection, and fully open-source nature make it the gold standard.

Telegram offers a compelling blend of security and functionality, excelling in features like massive group chats, channels, and seamless multi-device syncing. However, the trade-off for this convenience is that its default chats are not end-to-end encrypted, and it collects more metadata. If your threat model includes potential server compromise or government requests for non-E2EE chat content, Telegram presents a higher risk.


Ultimately, the choice depends on individual needs. For activists, journalists, or anyone dealing with highly sensitive information, Signal is the safer bet. For general communication, large community building, and a feature-rich experience where some compromise on ultimate privacy is acceptable, Telegram remains a strong contender, especially if users are diligent about utilizing "Secret Chats" for their most private conversations.