Some of my earliest memories of being online go back to Prodigy chat rooms and AOL Instant Messenger in the 90s. Later, it was ICQ and MSN Messenger, platforms that, at the time, felt like cutting-edge ways to connect. Fast forward to today, and secure messaging is the name of the game. One app that’s become a go-to for both professional and personal communication is Telegram. But recent reports suggest that Telegram’s privacy might not be as airtight as many believe, especially when it comes to Russia.

Let’s break this down in plain English so you know what’s going on and what you can do to protect your privacy.

Imagine Your Messages as Postcards

Think of your Telegram chats like postcards sent through the mail. You assume they’ll go straight to the recipient and no one else. But what if someone at the post office decides to sneak a peek?

That’s essentially what some experts are saying could be happening with Telegram. Reports have surfaced suggesting that Russian security services might be intercepting user messages. The concern stems from Telegram’s infrastructure and its possible connections to companies tied to Russia’s FSB (the Federal Security Service).

In one troubling 2024 incident, a Russian activist was arrested after authorities accessed and quoted her private Telegram messages word-for-word. That case raised serious alarms about how “private” Telegram chats really are and who might be watching.

Is Telegram Safe or a Kremlin Trap?

Social media is buzzing with mixed opinions. Some people claim “Telegram’s a Kremlin trap!” while others argue it's still fine for basic communication. The reality is probably somewhere in between. One particularly alarming point? Deleted messages might not stay deleted, and your chats could linger on servers longer than you think.

This is especially problematic for professionals. A 2025 industry report noted that 50% of businesses use messaging apps like Telegram to coordinate work and share updates. But one small breach could result in a major leak of client information, financial data, or even intellectual property.

We’ve already seen what can go wrong. In 2023, several Amazon employees were caught leaking confidential seller data via Telegram. If it can happen to a giant like Amazon, it can happen to anyone.

Why This Matters for Businesses and You

Unlike Signal or other end-to-end encrypted platforms, Telegram’s group chats and standard messages don’t offer full privacy. And with increasing reports of Russian authorities tapping into Telegram data, there’s every reason to take these concerns seriously.

At CyberStreams, our mission is simple: help businesses keep private data private. That way, you can focus on what matters, growing your business and serving your clients, without second-guessing your communication tools.

3 Ways to Protect Your Messages Today

Here are three quick steps you can take right now to safeguard your chats:

1. Use Secret Chats for Sensitive Conversations
Turn on Telegram’s “Secret Chat” feature. These chats use end-to-end encryption and don’t leave traces on the server.

2. Try Privacy-First Alternatives
Consider switching to apps that prioritize privacy, like Signal, Apple Messages, or Microsoft Teams, especially for internal or client-sensitive discussions.

3. Limit What You Share on Telegram
Avoid sending confidential data, passwords, or personal details through regular Telegram chats. Assume anything not end-to-end encrypted could be seen by someone else.

Conclusion: Stay Smart, Stay Secure

Telegram remains a popular and convenient messaging app, but that doesn’t mean it’s the most secure option for every conversation. Especially with growing concerns about state surveillance and message leaks, it’s time to think twice about what you’re sharing and where you’re sharing it.

For individuals, the fix is simple: use “Secret Chats” and avoid oversharing. For businesses, the stakes are higher, and the solution may be switching to more secure platforms altogether.

At CyberStreams, we believe security isn’t just about firewalls and passwords, it’s about every message, every day. Stay alert, stay private, and don’t let your data fall into the wrong hands.