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Will Telegram be able to shed its 'underground internet' reputation as it prepares for Initial Public Offering?
Telegram is gearing up for an Initial Public Offering (IPO) as it nears a user base of 1 billion and anticipates turning a profit soon. Despite its attempts to portray itself as a defender of unrestricted communication, it's undeniable that the platform serves as a hub for illicit activities, providing a social media space for coordinated crime.
Experts in criminology and cybersecurity are meticulously observing Telegram, a platform that accommodates numerous groups and channels. They assert that it has developed into a modern equivalent of the "dark web", wherein criminals and hackers participate in unlawful actions without any repercussions.
Cybersecurity professionals categorize Telegram as a "digital meeting place for structured crime groups," emphasizing its function in enabling diverse types of scams aimed at US government infrastructures. These scams have become increasingly popular among certain circles of hackers.
Telegram's evolution from a mere messaging application in 2013 to a crucial information source and coordination platform during significant geopolitical and humanitarian events like the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas conflict, highlights its wider influence.
Telegram's CEO, Pavel Durov, promotes the platform as a defender of privacy and freedom of speech, especially in oppressive governments. Telegram, with its user community of 900 million, identifies Asia as its biggest market, having seen substantial expansion since 2021.
Telegram, which has similarities to Twitter's broadcasting features and a relaxed attitude towards content moderation, has evolved into a significant platform for world leaders and autocratic governments. It is a communication medium for a wide range of users, from Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to official Russian departments and even extremist organizations such as Hamas.
Some people perceive Telegram as a sanctuary for unrestricted expression and opposition, while others worry about its contribution to illegal actions and the spread of false information. With Telegram's growing influence, the debate over its governance and accountability is expected to escalate.
Though it serves as a medium for unrestricted expression, worries continue to linger regarding Telegram's association with illegal activities and the spread of false information.
In addition, Telegram acts as a sanctuary for individuals looking to bypass stricter controls on competing platforms such as Facebook owned by Meta and Google's YouTube. This makes it a magnet for purveyors of false information, proponents of conspiracy theories, and radicals. Despite being a primary source of information for many people, experts warn that it is progressively being used as a mechanism for government propaganda.
Telegram, headquartered in Dubai, has largely evaded the regulatory oversight and legal pressures that have troubled comparable platforms in Silicon Valley. Its CEO, Pavel Durov, characterizes Dubai as a "neutral" territory where the government does not meddle in their activities.
As Telegram expands and looks into ways of making money, such as advertising, it's increasingly challenged to deal with worries over its part in enabling illegal acts and preserving honesty. Jeff Allen, who co-founded the Integrity Institute and serves as its main research officer, advises investors to be cautious about these problems.
As global authorities scrutinize the platform, there is an increasing demand for Telegram to adhere to fundamental principles of trust, security, and honesty, areas in which it presently lacks.
Durov and his sibling Nikolai originally created Telegram as a confidential means of communication to counter widespread surveillance disclosures. Regardless of their attempts to offer secure messaging, Durov's disputes with the Russian officials resulted in him leaving St Petersburg in 2014.
Telegram's denial to allow Moscow to access user data led to a prohibition in 2018. This ban was subsequently bypassed. Nonetheless, Telegram's standing as a free speech platform expanded, with Durov being praised as a freedom advocate.
As Telegram nears a possible entry into the market, worries about potential influence from the Kremlin persist, especially after Russia lifted the ban on the platform in 2020.
Though Durov stresses the impartiality of Telegram, doubts regarding its connections to Russia continue to linger. Even with claims that Telegram does not disclose private conversation details to authorities, skeptics express apprehensions about the platform's regulation strategies.
Luring investors from the West might necessitate dealing with worries regarding possible control by the Kremlin over Telegram. Detractors point out that after Russia abruptly lifted Telegram's ban in 2020, the Russian government agencies quickly embraced the platform.
Telegram is often implicated in supporting a range of unlawful acts worldwide, such as scams, weapons trade, and conversations amongst admitted pedophiles. Despite Durov's assurances of vigilant moderation, there are ongoing worries about Telegram's suitability for advertising because of its link to harmful content, which could impede potential income prospects.
As Telegram evolves into a tool for communication during conflicts, worries are emerging about its vulnerability to false information and propaganda. Despite Durov claiming robust moderation, skeptics caution about the chances for Telegram to be exploited and corrupted, emphasizing the difficulties in maintaining freedom of speech while preserving the platform's credibility.
(Incorporating information from various sources)
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