Telegram offers a new way to get a premium subscription for free. To do this, you just need to voluntarily provide your phone number to transfer one-time passwords (OTP) to other users. While this may look attractive at first glance, it's actually not a good idea – especially for a messaging service that is based on privacy.
Telegram's terms of use include a section that describes the new Peer-to-Peer Login (P2PL) program. For now it's only available on Android and in select (unspecified) territories. By participating in the program, a user allows Telegram to use their phone number to send up to 150 OTP text messages to other users who log into their accounts. Each month, when the number is used to send a minimum number of one-time passwords, the user receives a gift code for a monthly premium subscription.
What could go wrong ?
Source
• https://t.co/xgEtXj5qq5
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Users in some countries are receiving this feature and the only good thing about it is that it’s opt-in. #telegram pic.twitter.com/R1ptjGLJp7— AssembleDebug (@AssembleDebug) March 24, 2024
This program has several privacy issues. Every time the number is used to send an OTP, it is seen by the recipient. And if something unpleasant happens as a result of this, Telegram's terms and conditions clearly state that this is the user's personal responsibility:
“Accordingly, you understand and agree that Telegram is not responsible for any inconvenience, harassment or damage caused by unwanted, unauthorized or illegal activities committed by users who obtained your phone number through P2PL.”
Further. Once the OTP is sent from the user's number, the recipient can simply reply with a text message. People participating in the P2PL program are told not to send text messages to OTP recipients, even if they sent the message first. Telegram cannot prevent people from responding to the OTP text and cannot influence this in any way.
Telegram says it is offering this program to make receiving passcodes via SMS more reliable in certain regions. Although in reality it looks like the company is trying to avoid fees for sending codes via SMS – a move right out of the X (Twitter) textbook. However, Telegram is not responsible if your operator charges you a fee for sending access codes.
Overall it seems like a very big risk to save $5 a month on premium subscriptions.
Source: The Verge
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