In 2019, Telegram was hailed as the beacon of free and secure messaging, which can take down authoritarian regimes by allowing freedom of communication and organisation. 

"Thousands of Hong Kong protesters take their cues from more than 100 groups on Telegram, according to protest organizers and supporters. Protesters use encrypted apps like Telegram to mobilize swiftly through multiple group chats, with less risk of police infiltration, an in-depth report published by Reuters earlier this month said." 

Today, French police say that Telegram is a "hive of paedophiles and terrorists."

Telegram is still what it was in 2019, but the West is becoming less liberal. France is sacrificing Telegram for its own short-term political gains and some minor police work victories. 

Reuters in 2019:

In 2019, Telegram was hailed as the beacon of free and secure messaging, which can take down authoritarian regimes by allowing freedom of communication and organisation. 

"Thousands of Hong Kong protesters take their cues from more than 100 groups on Telegram, according to protest organizers and supporters. Protesters use encrypted apps like Telegram to mobilize swiftly through multiple group chats, with less risk of police infiltration, an in-depth report published by Reuters earlier this month said." 

Today, French police say that Telegram is a "hive of paedophiles and terrorists."

Telegram is still what it was in 2019, but the West is becoming less liberal. France is sacrificing Telegram for its own short-term political gains and some minor police work victories. 

Reuters in 2019:

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hongkong-telegram-exclusive/exclusive-messaging-app-telegram-moves-to-protect-identity-of-hong-kong-protesters-idUSKCN1VK2NI/

Then in 2023 — Telegram is likely giving back doors to the Kremlin. 

As much as I wish Telegram was a symbol of free speech and privacy, the fact that there is even a way for the owner to access all accounts means that it was never truly a tool for privacy.

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Then in 2023 — Telegram is likely giving back doors to the Kremlin. 

As much as I wish Telegram was a symbol of free speech and privacy, the fact that there is even a way for the owner to access all accounts means that it was never truly a tool for privacy.

https://x.com/zooko/status/1827806006438703416?s=46&t=kbUluqkrtSAIaGiJXuXVAw

https://www.wired.com/story/the-kremlin-has-entered-the-chat/