Privacy

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A place to discuss privacy and freedom in the digital world.

Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.

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Telegram releases Peer-to-Peer Login Program (telegram.org)

submitted 8 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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What do you think of this from privacy POV?

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Can somebody explain in simple terms with this is even supposed to do? Do you end up sending an SMS message on Telegram's behalf to random phone numbers that request it?

I'm pretty sure this practice, no matter how lightweight it might be, would be considered against many carriers' TOS. And I wasn't aware Android now allowed people to send text messages in apps besides the default one, suppressing that ability was considered a huge deal a while back.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

For whatever reason, ppl need SMS OTP. While Telegram is using SMS operators (like Twilio), it can't covers all users globally (which the truth is more about cost and regulations), thus this program is born to cover (bypass) it.

It uses your number to sent the OTP code to random numbers on Telegram behalf, up to 150 per month including international SMS, where you bear the cost and aknowledging your number will be seen by who recieve it. In return, if your monthly send SMS reaches the quota, Telegram will reward you with a monthly Telegram Premium Subscription (which cost almost nothing to them).

What a joke program.

Edit: express in more clarity (they -> Telegram)