Pavel Durov of Telegram: WhatsApp Sucks

Summary

In a conversation with TechCrunch's Mike Butcher, Telegram founder Pavel Durov discussed the app's impressive growth, now delivering over 12 billion messages daily. He highlighted Telegram's emphasis on privacy, criticizing competitors like WhatsApp for their limitations. Durov introduced the bot platform, noting its potential for third-party services and upcoming payment integration. He addressed concerns about censorship, confirming that Telegram blocks porn bots in regions where it's illegal. Durov shared insights into his nomadic lifestyle while running a small team and underscored the importance of user privacy amid concerns about misuse by groups like ISIS. The discussion concluded with Durov's confidence in Telegram's unique offerings.

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Q & A

What is the main purpose of Telegram according to Pavel Durov?

Pavel Durov emphasizes that Telegram aims to provide a secure messaging platform that prioritizes user privacy, differentiating itself from other messaging apps.

How many messages does Telegram deliver daily as mentioned in the interview?

As of the interview, Telegram delivers over 12 billion messages daily.

What criticisms does Durov have regarding WhatsApp?

Durov criticizes WhatsApp for its lack of cross-device functionality, issues with message accessibility when a phone's battery is low, and for being non-private.

What security feature does Telegram offer that Durov highlights?

Durov highlights that Telegram provides end-to-end encryption to protect user privacy, making it difficult for messages to be intercepted or decrypted.

Why does Durov believe that privacy is important for businesses?

Durov argues that businesses are particularly vulnerable to blackmail and data compromise, making privacy a crucial aspect of communication for them.

What is Telegram's bot platform, and how does it function?

Telegram's bot platform allows third-party developers to create bots that can interact with users, providing various services and functionalities through a simple API.

How does Telegram handle content regulation in certain countries?

Telegram blocks pornographic bots in countries where such content is illegal to avoid being associated with adult material, which could harm its reputation.

What is Durov's stance on government requests for user data?

Durov maintains that Telegram has not disclosed any user data to third parties, including governments, upholding a strong commitment to privacy.

How does Durov view the use of Telegram by extremist groups?

Durov acknowledges that extremist groups may use Telegram but insists that the platform's primary goal is to protect user privacy, asserting that such groups would find other means of communication if Telegram were not available.

What are Durov's thoughts on future investments in Telegram?

Durov expresses a desire to remain independent and avoid external investments for now, believing that this autonomy allows for more innovative decision-making.