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This is the English mirror of @tginfo. Ask Questions & Discuss: @tginfochaten Beta Channel: @betainfoen TON: @infotonen Other Languages: @tginfoall Feedback & Commecrial: @infowritebot
Moderation Statistics on Telegram's Official Website
Telegram's official website now features a new section dedicated to moderation data: https://telegram.org/moderation.
The page includes several sections detailing various types of content prohibited on the platform. For each type, the following information is provided:
• The number of blocked groups and channels, broken down by day.
• Instructions on how to report this type of content.
• Explanations of the moderation process for this content.
#moderation
Account Theft Using Fake Gift Message
The most popular method of stealing a Telegram account is still social engineering. Attackers convince the victim to provide their login details either by threatening ("Your account will be blocked within 24 hours if you do not log in to this site") or by promising some kind of benefit.
In recent days, users have increasingly reported receiving a fake message from attackers about a Telegram Premium subscription gift. The message contains a link that supposedly needs to be followed to receive the gift. When clicking on the link, the user is asked to enter their account details (phone number, one-time authorization code, and cloud password), which immediately fall into the hands of attackers.
Please be vigilant!
• Do not enter any account details in any bots or on any sites unless you are 200% sure that you are interacting with the official Telegram resource.
• Check the links you follow in Telegram: in mobile apps, just press and hold the link, and in Telegram Desktop, hover the mouse cursor over the link.
• Follow all other recommendations from the section “6. How to protect your account from theft?” of our article about account theft.
#hacking
Telegram Desktop Has Been Updated to Version 5.9.0
What's new:
• Affiliate programs for bots.
• Add option to show folder tags in chats list.
Download:
• Windows/macOS/Linux: the official website or GitHub.
#update #desktop
Survey for the most popular Telegram client
At the end of the year we have a survey to find out which client is the most popular among our readers.
This time, the voting system has been redesigned, and the survey now includes four polls to vote for:
• Most popular Android client
• Most popular iOS client
• Most popular desktop client
• Most popular web client
We need your help in spreading the survey to get more accurate and representative data.
Results of previous years:
2019 • 2020 • 2022
#survey
Telegram Boosts Profits Through Cryptocurrency Assets
The Financial Times reviewed Telegram's unaudited financial report, dated October 22, 2024, and addressed to investors.
Telegram reported a significant increase in the value of its digital assets during the first half of 2024, rising to $1.3 billion from nearly $400 million at the end of the previous year. This growth was largely driven by the sale of the cryptocurrency Toncoin.
The company's revenue for January to June 2024 reached $525 million, nearly tripling compared to the same period last year. Of this, $225 million came from a deal with an unnamed party, under which Telegram received compensation for making Toncoin the exclusive method for businesses to purchase advertising within the app. However, this agreement was terminated on October 1.
In the first half of the year, revenue from digital asset sales totaled $353 million, with $348 million coming from Toncoin sales alone.
Advertising revenue also saw growth, hitting $120 million in the first six months of 2024—more than double compared to the previous year. Additionally, premium subscription sales surged to $119 million, up from $32 million.
Over its history, Telegram has raised approximately $2.4 billion in debt financing, which is due for repayment in 2026.
According to the documents, in September 2024, Telegram used a portion of its overall revenue to repurchase some of its bonds, amounting to $124.5 million.
While Telegram’s bonds are still trading below face value, their prices have rebounded from the initial sell-off triggered by Pavel Durov’s detention. As of now, they are trading at 95 cents on the dollar, compared to 87 cents in August.
Telegram Desktop Has Been Updated to Version 5.8.3
What's new:
• Ctrl+Click on “Reply” in top right corner of message in group sends reply to another chat.
• On the channel profile screen, the “Add to folder” option is now available in three-dots button menu.
• Fix freeze on forward messages box opening.
• Improve phrases in bot subscriptions.
• Several bugfixes.
Download:
• Windows/macOS/Linux: the official website or GitHub.
• Windows: Microsoft Store.
• Linux: Flathub, Snapcraft.
#update #desktop
Telegram Desktop Has Been Updated to Version 5.8.0
What's new:
• Updates in Mini Apps platform.
• Chat folders in forward and share boxes.
• Horizontal strip mode for chat folders.
Download:
• Windows/macOS/Linux: the official website or GitHub.
• Windows: Microsoft Store.
• Linux: Flathub, Snapcraft.
#update #desktop
Spamban
Spamban is a restriction that the Telegram platform can impose on a user's account.
In the new article https://tginfo.me/spamban-en/ we talk about what types of spambans exist, what you can get them for, and how to get rid of them.
#FAQ
Direct Version of Telegram for Android Offers Incorrect Update
The Telegram app for Android, installed directly from telegram.org, is prompting users to install an update. Users report that after installing the update, the direct version of the app does not update, but a second instance of Telegram appears in the app menu.
Ignore this update: It appears that the Telegram team mistakenly distributed the Google Play version as an update for the direct version.
If you have already installed the update, you can delete the second Telegram app where you are not logged in. Deleting the duplicate will not remove your accounts from the direct version.
As soon as the issue is resolved, we will update this post.
#outages
How To Clear App Database?
During their work, Telegram applications download some data from the server to the device. If too much of this data accumulates on the device, or if there is a failure while saving it, the application may stop working correctly.
We tell you how to maintain your app database in out new article https://tginfo.me/clear-cache-en
#FAQ
What To Do if There Is Already an Account On Your New Phone Number?
If you bought a new phone number and are trying to create a new Telegram account with it, you may sometimes find that there is already an account on this number.
We tell you why this could happen and what to do in this case in the article https://tginfo.me/account-already-exists-on-my-sim-en/
#FAQ
Telegram Prepares Monetization for Bot Owners
Lines of code in Telegram for Android have revealed plans for bot monetization.
Key details:
• Telegram will show ads in bots and share revenue with bot owners on a 50/50 basis, similar to ads in Telegram channels.
• Payments will be made in TON cryptocurrency via the Fragment platform.
• Earned TON will be available for ad purchases or withdrawal three days after receipt is given.
It is important to note that these details are based on the Translation Platform and are speculative, meaning they may change before the final release.
#monetization #bots
Video Quality Selection for Watching and Saving
Users of the Beta version of Telegram for Android 11.2.3 have now can choose video quality when viewing and saving certain videos.
Here’s what’s known about this feature:
• The option to select quality is available only for videos processed by Telegram’s servers to support HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) playback.
• As of today (October 17, 2024), users do not have a method to upload videos in a way that guarantees Telegram will process them for HLS support. Users have observed that quality selection for the same uploaded video may sometimes disappear or reappear. Forwarded HLS videos or videos from link previews may also lack the quality selection option. It’s worth noting that the messenger might need some time to process the video before offering quality options.
• When viewing, to choose video quality, you need to tap the three dots icon on the video playback screen and select "Quality" from the menu.
• Depending on the specific file, Telegram provides several quality options optimized for streaming. For Full HD videos, Telegram generally offers choices in 1080p, 720p, and 480p. There’s also an automatic quality selection option in this same menu.
• The quality option labeled “Source” refers to the uncompressed version of the video that hasn’t been re-encoded by Telegram.
• When saving such videos to your device, the app will automatically prompt you to choose the quality.
• HLS videos do not display chips with size or download status. The app always shows them as fully downloaded videos with only their duration indicated.
Examples of HLS videos:
• /channel/hls_samples/2
• /channel/dvachannel/147194
For details about more features that are only available in Beta versions of Telegram apps, subscribe to our dedicated channel — @betainfo.
#HLS #android
Telegram for Android Has Been Updated To Version 11.2.3
In the new version, users can enjoy several new features related to gifts:
• When exchanging a star gift for stars, the app now displays the time frame during which the conversion is possible: the gift can only be exchanged for stars within 90 days of receiving it.
• When selecting a gift, the app shows a "Sold Out" label next to rare gifts that are no longer available for purchase.
• When sending a Telegram Premium gift subscription, the app now allows you to add a text comment to the gift.
Download new version
• Android: Google Play, APK from the official website, or the verified channel.
#update #Android
Issue with Link Snippets in Telegram
Users report that messages containing links are no longer generating preview cards or Instant View articles.
When composing a message, instead of displaying link information, the messenger shows an indefinite loading status. The issue only affects links that have not been previously shared on Telegram and are not cached on Telegram's servers.
UPD. Some developers also report issues with sending files and media in bots.
UPD 20:30 UTC: Link previews and media in bots are functioning again. Some messages sent during the outage have been retroactively updated with preview cards.
#outages
Voice chats are unstable
According to information from users, on December 7, voice chats in Telegram have been unstable since the beginning of the day. Problems are observed both when connecting to existing chats and when creating new ones.
We do not know when the problem will be fixed. The post will be updated as new information appears.
#outages
Telegram to Collaborate With IWF to Struggle Against Child Pornography
The BBC reports that Telegram has agreed to collaborate with the international organization Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) to prevent the distribution of child pornography and content related to violence against children.
IWF calls Telegram's decision "transformational", but noted that much work still needs to be done within the framework of the cooperation.
IWF is one of the few organizations in the world that has the right and ability to monitor the appearance of child pornography, materials containing scenes of violence against children, and to achieve its removal from the network.
Telegram emphasized that even before the start of cooperation with IWF, the messenger found and removed hundreds of thousands of materials containing inappropriate content every month using its own moderation tools. Official membership in IWF will help to combat such content even more effectively.
Telegram for Android and iOS Updated to Version 11.5
Here’s what’s new in this update:
• Story Collages: Users can now combine up to 6 images or videos in a single story and choose various layout options. Selected elements can be moved, replaced, or deleted.
• AI-Powered Sticker Search: The sticker panel now supports advanced search queries with multiple keywords, but only among official sticker sets from the Telegram team. Third-party stickers are not supported.
• Captions Above Media Files: A new button, "Move Caption Up," has been added to the media editor. It lets you quickly change the position of text relative to the attached image or video.
• Affiliate Programs: All users and channels on Telegram can now earn Stars through affiliate programs from Mini App developers. When someone you refer uses your link to access a mini-app and makes purchases using Telegram Stars, you earn a percentage of the Stars spent.
• Launching Affiliate Programs: Mini App or bot developers can now create their own affiliate programs and set the percentage of their future revenue they’re willing to share as rewards, as well as the duration for which these rewards will be given to those who refer users.
Read the full article: telegram.org/blog/affiliate-programs-ai-sticker-search
How to Update
• Android: Download from Google Play, APK from the official website, or the verified channel.
• iOS: Download from the App Store.
#update #Android #iOS
Telegram is Preparing an Affiliate Program for Mini Apps, Bots and Channels
Lines were found in the Telegram source code for Android that reveal plans to implement an affiliate program for mini apps, bots and channels.
Key details:
• Channel owners will be able to participate in the affiliate program and receive a commission for users attracted to mini-apps.
• Users and channel owners will be able to share referral links and earn on the spending of attracted users.
• Payments will be made in stars.
• Mini apps owners will be able to customize the commission percentage and the duration of the program for their partners.
• Tools for tracking statistics on referral links and earnings will appear.
It is important to note that all information is based on lines from the application code, so these functions may undergo some changes before the release.
We tell more about Beta versions of Telegram on our second channel @betainfoen.
Fragment Introduces Mandatory Identity Verification for Buying and Selling Telegram Services
The Fragment platform has introduced a KYC (identity verification) procedure. This means that the platform may require personal information and supporting documents to perform certain actions.
Important:
• Mandatory verification: Now, to purchase “stars” and other services, including Premium or an anonymous number, you must pass KYC (Know Your Customer).
• Verification process: Fragment uses a third-party service, Sumsub, which has an automatic system for verifying users' identities.
• Required information: Buyers must provide an email, phone number, a scanned copy of an identity document, and a photograph of their face.
You can check the verification of your Telegram account and TON wallet on the Fragment profile page .
Purchasing Telegram Premium and stars via @PremiumBot and app stores works without changes.
"Durov's Code" reminds that anonymous numbers and usernames can be purchased for cryptocurrency without KYC on decentralized marketplaces, such as Getgems.io .
Even if the NFT is purchased on a third-party platform, its activation in Telegram occurs through Fragment. The editorial team of @tginfo does not know whether unverified users will be able to use their NFTs in Telegram in the future. Owning an NFT does not guarantee that the purchase can be used in Telegram, as we wrote about in 2022.
The @tginfo editorial team does not know the reasons for introducing the KYC procedure. Telegram representatives did not comment on these changes.
#Fragment
Gift privacy settings
A new privacy setting has become available to Telegram users: “Who can display gifts on my profile”.
Gifts from those users and Mini Apps that are allowed to send such gifts will be automatically published in the recipient's profile. And if a gift is sent by user who is not allowed to do so, then this gift will only be displayed in the chat with the giver, and will not be published in the profile.
Additionally, we note that the recipient of the gift in all cases can manually change the visibility of the received gift in their profile: both hide a previously published gift and publish a hidden one.
#gifts
Telegram for Android and iOS Updated to Version 11.4
The latest update introduces a host of new features for mini-apps:
• Full-screen mode for mini-apps.
• Bots can now send gifts.
• Option to add a mini-app shortcut to the home screen.
• Ability to set emoji statuses directly from mini-apps.
• Mini-apps can now request access to location data.
• Support for accessing accelerometer, gyroscope, and compass data within mini-apps.
• Option to lock screen orientation changes in mini-apps.
Mini-apps can now upload files.
• Customizable loading screens for mini-apps.
• A new notifications button for scheduled broadcasts to ensure you don’t miss important events (Android).
• Mini-apps now have access to basic device information, such as processor and memory details, as well as whether the app is minimized.
Read more: https://telegram.org/blog/fullscreen-miniapps-and-more
Download the Update
• Android: Available on Google Play, as an APK from the official website, or via the verified channel.
• iOS: Available on the App Store.
#Update #Android #iOS
Telegram representatives inform that a correction has been issued. The app might still suggest the incorrect update for a while from its cache, so it might take a while before you receive a correct update.
The correct version of the update won't have a white outline around the icon on the update screen popup.
You can also install the update manually from the official channel.
Basic Groups and Supergroups
Almost every Telegram user knows that there are groups in the messenger. However, for many it remains unclear why different chats can behave differently: in some you can copy a link to a message, and in others you can’t; in some you can delete a message only for yourself or for all participants, and in some you can only delete it for everyone; and in some, all materials suddenly disappeared from the Media tab.
In our new article, we talk about converting basic groups into supergroups and the differences between these two types of group chats: https://tginfo.me/groups_vs_supergroups-en/
#FAQ
How Does The "Chat History" Setting Work?
When an administrator of a private group enables history visibility in it, the result often does not meet his expectations: old messages of the group may still be hidden from some participants.
We tell you how this setting actually works in the article https://tginfo.me/chat-history-visibility-en
#FAQ
Telegram for Android, iOS, macOS and Unigram have been updated to version 11.3
The new version provides users with the following features:
• Video Quality Selection: for some videos, users can now choose the quality in which to view these videos and save them to the gallery.
• New features when editing messages: now the applications show the moment of the last change of messages, and when editing, users can add media to those messages that did not previously contain them. Only one media, but any type: image, video, audio, or file.
• Chat-specific hashtags: users can now specify local hashtags in the format #tag@tginfoen in public chats. When you click on such a tag, the application shows only those messages that are published in the specified chat and contain the specified tag. If you specify a tag when typing a draft message, the application will offer you to choose which tag to use: chat-specific or regular.
• Control video playback and rewind speed: users can now use the updated slider to control the video playback speed, and rewind videos at a custom speed by tapping the screen while viewing a video and swiping left or right.
Other innovations:
• Telegram Ads in Bots
• Increased Message Limits for Bots
• Exact Reaction Counters
Article: https://telegram.org/blog/dynamic-video-quality-and-more
Download update:
• Android: Google Play, APK from the official website, or the verified channel.
• iOS: App Store.
• Telegram Desktop: no update yet.
• Unigram для Windows: Microsoft Store.
• macOS: App Store.
#update #Android #iOS #macOS #Unigram
New UI for RTMP broadcasts
The RTMP broadcast screen for users of Telegram for Android 11.2.3 has received a new design.
Recall that RTMP broadcasts are live broadcasts in which participants can only watch and listen to the presenters, but cannot interact with them, as in videochats.
#Android
Telegram Desktop Has Been Updated to Version 5.6.3
What's new:
• Add ability to change page scale in Instant View pages.
• Fix unnecessary timestamp jump to a new line.
• Fix secondary button positioning in miniapps.
• Fix a crash in QR code copy for a chat without a photo.
• Fix a crash in share options menu showing.
• Fix a crash on monitor disconnect.
Download:
• Windows/macOS/Linux: the official website or GitHub.
• Windows: Microsoft Store.
• Linux: Flathub, Snapcraft.
#update #desktop
Telegram Desktop Has Been Updated to Version 5.6.2
What's new:
• Message selection marks.
• Better copy username / public link / ID menu in profiles.
• Keyboard navigation (Up/Down/PageUp/PageDown) in chat preview.
• Improved QR options for profile links.
• Support adding messages to gifts of Premium subscriptions.
• Fix calls color problems on Windows.
• Fix scroll problems on Linux.
Download:
• Windows/macOS/Linux: the official website or GitHub.
• macOS: App Store.
• Windows: Microsoft Store.
• Linux: Flathub, Snapcraft.
#update #desktop
Fraudsters pretend to be @Wallet support
Over the past few days, there have been more and more cases of fraudsters pretending to be @wallet support. The user receives a message in a private chat stating that they urgently need to go through the verification procedure(“KYC”) in Wallet, and if they do not do this, they will lose access to their account.
After the victim follows the link, they receive a one-time authorization code. It can come either from a Telegram service account or by email. Having given this code to the attackers, the user soon discovers that their sessions has been terminated. And when trying to log back into their account, the user receives a message stating that their phone number has been blocked, or ends up in a new account.
Remember: if the "BLOCK" button is displayed at the top of a new private chat, it means that you have been contacted by fraudsters: there will be no such button in dialogues with Telegram service accounts.
Here are some of our articles that are related to hacking accounts:
• What to do if Your Telegram Account is Stolen? https://tginfo.me/how-to-retrieve-telegram-account-en
• What to do when my phone number gets banned on Telegram?
https://tginfo.me/phone-number-is-banned-en
• How to log in to your Telegram account if you don’t have access to your SIM card?
https://tginfo.me/no-sim-en
#fraud