Telegram’s controversial new feature offers users a tantalizing proposition: a complimentary premium membership in exchange for allowing the messaging platform to utilize their phone numbers as a relay for sending one-time SMS passwords to other users. This move, while seemingly beneficial on the surface, has ignited a firestorm of privacy concerns and raised alarms about the potential exposure of personal information.
Unveiled first by the TGInfoEn Telegram channel and reverse engineer AssembleDebug, the feature is currently being rolled out in select countries for Telegram’s Android users. The deal is simple: grant Telegram access to your number for OTP relay, and in return, receive a transferable code for Telegram Premium.
However, beneath the allure of a free premium subscription lies a labyrinth of caveats. Telegram stipulates a cap of 150 OTP messages per month, with users potentially facing additional charges for local and international SMS usage. When considering the financial implications, users might find themselves paying more through their phone bills than the value of Telegram’s premium membership.
Yet, the foremost concern transcends monetary matters—it’s a matter of privacy. By allowing strangers to utilize your number as an OTP relay, you open the floodgates to potential spam and fraud. While Telegram offers the option to hide phone numbers from strangers, this feature circumvents that safeguard, exposing users to the risk of unauthorized access to their accounts.
Moreover, the terms of service for this peer-to-peer login program absolve Telegram of any liability, leaving users vulnerable to unforeseen consequences. The company washes its hands of responsibility, cautioning users against engaging with individuals who receive OTP codes from their numbers, but providing no practical means to enforce this advice.
For Telegram, the lure of expanding its subscription base and enticing users with premium features is evident. However, users must weigh the benefits against the risks. Is the prospect of saving a few bucks worth the potential peril of divulging personal information to strangers? As Telegram blazes a trail with its subscription service, users find themselves at a crossroads, grappling with the dilemma of privacy versus perks.
