This Application Starts to Compete with WhatsApp, Users Start to Reach 1 M

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia –The popularity of the Telegram application has soared throughout 2024. With more than 950 million active users as of July 2024, Telegram is getting closer to WhatsApp’s dominance which has more than 2 billion users by the end of 2023.

Founded by Russian entrepreneur Pavel Durov, now based in Dubai, Telegram is known for its commitment to freedom of expression. Durov once left Russia after refusing to silence opposition voices on the VK platform, which he later sold before founding Telegram.

“Our monthly active users will reach 1 billion this year. Telegram’s growth is like a ‘forest fire,'” Durov was quoted as saying by the Reuters news agency, Thursday (3/4/2025).

Telegram attracts global users because of its neutral position and is free from government intervention. Even when under pressure from various countries to limit information, Telegram continues to adhere to the principle of freedom of information.

However, Durov said that threats to user privacy actually come more from technology giants such as Apple and Alphabet (Google’s parent). According to him, the two companies can censor content and access data on users’ smartphones.

Telegram was also in the spotlight when the Russia-Ukraine conflict erupted. It became a source of unfiltered information, although that also made it vulnerable to spreading disinformation.

Durov emphasized that Telegram’s encryption system remains secure even though it has been the target of hacking attempts, including by the FBI. He claimed that the US intelligence agency tried to recruit Telegram engineers to open “backdoor” access, but the attempt failed.

Now, Telegram is not only an alternative to WhatsApp, but is also included in the ranks of global digital platforms along with Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and WeChat. In fact, Telegram is rumored to be going public on the US stock exchange soon after starting to make a profit.

Durov’s reason for choosing Dubai as Telegram’s headquarters is quite strategic. He called the United Arab Emirates a neutral and safe country for running a technology company that does not take sides geopolitically.

SOURCE : CNBC INDONESIA