Telegram updated its messaging app with several new features, including those related to the user’s privacy and security.
For starters, the app no longer requires a SIM card before signing up for an account. Instead, users can now create an account and log in using an anonymous blockchain-powered number available through its Fragment platform.
For what it’s worth, and it’s actually a big deal, Telegram already does not disclose your phone number to strangers, and this is another step in the right direction — as far as we’re concerned.
The app has also beefed up its auto-delete chats function, allowing users to set a global timer that will auto-delete messages in every new chat they’re a part of.
Your existing chats will be unaffected by this timer, but you can easily expand the auto-delete timer to include these chats in its settings. For this, go to Settings -> Privacy and Security -> Auto-Delete Messages.
There is also the option to auto-delete messages in smaller groups if you are a member with some sort of control over the group, such as editing its name and photo.
Finally, Telegram added an option for users who do not have a Telegram username or are hiding their phone numbers from everyone on the platform to participate in chats. They can create a temporary QR code and then send it to others with whom they want to interact over Telegram. Pretty cool, right?
In other news, Telegram introduced Topics 2.0 with an improved UI, new emoji packs (including interactive emojis), and a new proactive anti-spam feature. The last mentioned allows admins of groups with over 200 members to better handle spam messages. They can turn on “Aggressive mode” to activate automatic spam filters throughout the group. Mistakes can happen, and if they do, admins can report any falsely removed messages by the anti-spam filter through the Recent Actions tab.
There you have it, folks. If you needed an additional reason to try out Telegram, now you got it. Check it out.