WhatsApp Executive Criticizes Telegram for Confusing Its Users About Using Encryption

Will Cathcart, director of WhatsApp at Meta, again criticized his biggest rival among messaging apps in a post on Twitter. Citing a magazine article wired which denounces the possibility of sending users’ private information to the Russian government, the executive continues to claim that the competing platform is not secure.

“Telegram does not have end-to-end encryption by default and does not offer this feature for groups,” Cathcart pointed out, adding that the rival company has not had its security protocols independently verifiedwhich could indicate a “lack of true transparency” and damage to the integrity of its users’ data.

This is a really important article from @DarrenLoucaides @wired about Telegram. If you think Telegram is secure, you should read this article and understand the truth – especially before you use it for anything private.

Some really important points: https://t.co/WefbuS11Ov

— Will Cathcart (@wcathcart) February 10, 2023

In its own defense, the Russian messenger claims that it does not offer end-to-end encryption in groups due to issues involving backing up messages. In addition, data protection technology is present in the so-called “Secret Chats”, which leave no traces on the company’s servers.

The article published by wired published on February 2 deals with activists opposed to the war between Russia and Ukraine who accuse Telegram of leaking their messages to Moscow authorities. Cathcart used the allegations to point out possible security holes that users of the rival app might encounter.

I recognize that some will say that I have an interest in criticizing Telegram. But there are many other end-to-end encrypted messaging apps that people can choose from. If you’re not going to use WhatsApp, use one of them — don’t use Telegram.

Will Cathcart

WhatsApp Director

The information is revealed after Pavel Durov, CEO of Telegram, criticized the Russian government and defended that privacy is the right of users and also criticized WhatsApp for allegedly monitoring users for more than a decade. So far, the executive has not responded to the rival company’s new accusations.

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