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Don’t let its origins in the former Soviet countries fool you; Telegram’s influence is truly global, reaching approximately 950 million monthly active users and placing it among the top ten social networks worldwide. Within the messaging app landscape, only Meta’s WhatsApp, China’s WeChat, and Facebook’s Messenger command larger audiences. 

This vast reach, however, is exploited by a dangerous underbelly. Telegram’s unique features have made it an attractive platform for criminals—from drug and human traffickers to terrorists—enabling the spread of disinformation, the recruitment of spies, and the maintenance of operational security. 

A timely report by the European Analytical Collective “Res Futura,” The Recruitment Algorithm: Telegram as a Communication Tool or a Catalyst of Global Threats, delves into these critical issues, analyzing the platform’s use by criminal networks, propagandists, and Russian intelligence, and considering potential responses from the European Union.

So What Is Telegram and How Is It Funded?

Driven by Pavel Durov’s desire for a free and private communication channel, independent from state and corporate influence, Telegram was launched in 2013 by him and his brother Nikolai. Hailing from St. Petersburg, Russia, Pavel was also the founder of VKontakte, Russia’s answer to Facebook. Nikolai developed the platform’s foundational MTProto encryption.

Initially funded from the Durovs’ own pockets, Telegram later attempted a blockchain project that raised $1.7 billion—but was halted by U.S. regulators. Today, the app makes money through:

  • Telegram Premium subscriptions
  • Paid content channels
  • Ad placements

Why Is Telegram So Powerful? (And Sometimes Dangerous?)

Telegram offers several advanced features that can be powerful—but also risky:

  • Massive Groups – Up to 200,000 members, perfect for movements, protests… or illegal operations.
  • Secret Chats – End-to-end encrypted and self-destructing messages: ideal for privacy, but also crime. 
  • Bots & Automation – Great for sharing news or organizing events, but just as useful for disinformation.
  • Big File Sharing – Send up to 4GB of video, audio, or documents in real time.

It’s no wonder Telegram was the key communication tool during protests in Belarus in 2020 and during several political crises across Europe.

But there’s a dark side. Telegram’s open structure also helps spread extremism, fake news, and organized crime.

Dodging the EU’s Rules?

To operate in the EU, Telegram must follow the Digital Services Act (DSA). This law forces online platforms to monitor illegal content, remove harmful or false information and cooperate with law enforcement

The DSA applies more strictly to platforms with over 45 million users in the EU. Telegram says it has only 41 million—conveniently under the threshold. Regulators suspect this number is intentionally underestimated to dodge tighter controls.

Last year, Pavel Durov was briefly arrested in France due to Telegram’s link to crimes like drug trafficking and child pornography. Critics say the platform refuses to cooperate with NGOs and authorities, especially when asked to remove content based on “local regulations.”

Telegram: A Platform of Freedom – and Risk

Content That Sparks Engagement Is Promoted – Even If It’s Harmful
 Telegram’s algorithms tend to push content that generates high engagement. This often means controversial or emotional posts, including disinformation and extremist views, are more likely to go viral.

  • About 32% of extremist content on Telegram is recommended through similar channel suggestions.
  • Emotionally charged posts can receive 30–40% more engagement than neutral ones.
  • Once a user clicks on an extremist post, they’re likely to see more of the same.

A Double-Edged Sword of Privacy
Telegram uses end-to-end encryption, which is great for protecting user privacy – especially for activists in authoritarian countries. However, it also helps criminal networks operate more freely, making it harder for law enforcement to track illegal activities.

Lack of Moderation
Unlike platforms like Facebook or X (formerly Twitter), Telegram does not remove harmful or controversial content quickly. This makes it an attractive space for spreading fake news, extremism, and conspiracy theories.

Easy to Use and Widely Available
Telegram supports many languages and features, such as large file sharing, automated bots and management of massive groups and information channels

These tools can be used for campaigning, but also for organized crime or propaganda.

Useful for Activists… and Criminals

Telegram plays a major role in politics and activism, but also in organized crime, the report warns.

Disinformation is spread easily due to anonymity and weak moderation. Examples include pro-Russian channels spreading lies about the war in Ukraine or COVID-19.

Furthermore, criminals use Telegram for drug and weapon trafficking, money laundering, and other illegal activities in closed groups, protected by encryption.

Even terrorist organizations, like ISIS, have used Telegram to recruit, coordinate, and share extremist content, including bomb-making guides.

On the other hand, politicians (especially in authoritarian regimes) use Telegram to connect directly with voters and organise campaigns. But the same tools can also be used to manipulate public opinion, especially through fake news targeting opponents.

“Telegram offers communication freedom and privacy, but also enables abuse on a global scale,” the report concludes.

Fake News That Shape the World

Telegram’s lack of moderation has allowed misinformation to influence major events.

During COVID-19, anti-vaccine groups used Telegram to spread conspiracy theories, affecting public trust in vaccines in countries like Germany and France.

In another case, after the 2020 US elections, false claims about vote rigging spread on Telegram, undermining trust in democracy.

Even movements like QAnon used Telegram to circulate global conspiracy theories after being banned from other platforms.

Another problem concerned 5G-related fake news on Telegram that sparked vandalism against telecom infrastructure.

Such content doesn’t just polarise society – it can impact health, elections, and the economy.

A Hub for Criminal and Terrorist Activity

Telegram is heavily used by criminal organizations and terrorists due to its privacy and ease of access:

One problem is closed groups that allow only trusted members to join. On the other hand, Public channels advertise illegal goods, while private chats handle transactions.

Activities include drug and arms trafficking, selling fake documents and personal data, smuggling and human trafficking, money laundering, often using crypto and fake bank accounts, as well as cybercrime, including selling malware, hacked accounts, and hacker services.

Human smuggling like pizza delivery

In the context of the crisis at the Polish-Belarusian border, it is important to note that Telegram is also being used as a tool for smuggling migrants and refugees.

“The scheme resembles a pizza delivery service,” Adam Fedorowicz of Res Futura told EURACTIV.pl.

He explained that the smuggler first sends photos of the vehicle that will be used for the transport, along with identity verification — for example, an image of a document. Next, they share a GPS location pin and agree on the time and place to pick up the individuals.

Subsequently, the identity of the migrants is confirmed, often by sending their photos. Clients also receive detailed instructions on how to cross the border.

On the other side of the border, drivers pick up the migrants and transport them to the next destination. Often, it is an entire network of interconnected smugglers. Payment is only made once the transport has been completed according to the agreement.

“This is the treatment of human beings as mere cargo,” Fedorowicz emphasised. He added that this practice was the most shocking finding for researchers working on the report.

Moreover, as the analyst points out, there are entire systems in place to prevent fraud. In cases of human or drug trafficking, specially appointed intermediaries must confirm that the service has indeed been rendered or that the ‘goods’ — including human cargo — have been delivered to the designated location before the client transfers payment.

What Can the EU Do About It?

Telegram plays a significant role amid ongoing global technological and political transformations, the authors of the Res Futura collective report emphasize.

This role can be either beneficial or harmful. Features such as encrypted communication, user anonymity, and limited content moderation make Telegram a platform that can be used for both socially constructive and destructive purposes.

To mitigate the harmful use of Telegram within the European Union, the EU must enforce the Digital Services Act (DSA) rigorously, particularly with regard to algorithmic transparency and mandatory risk assessments.

Failure to do so may exacerbate threats with potentially serious implications for democratic institutions — including elections — and the broader information ecosystem, the report warns.

“The European Union must ensure that digital platforms available within its territory are safe for users,” stressed Fedorowicz.

“As users, we need to feel secure. Most apps track us in one way or another, but we must be confident that using a particular platform doesn’t expose us to more serious risks.”

According to Fedorowicz, the problem lies in the fact that, in Telegram’s case, it is unclear whom the European Commission should engage with to address the platform’s misuse for illicit activities.

“Talking to Pavel Durov about Telegram is like talking to Mark Zuckerberg about a specific Facebook group. He’ll simply respond by invoking freedom of speech.”

Why It Matters to You

If you’re a digital native growing up in Europe, you’re not just a user—you’re a stakeholder. Platforms like Telegram shape the flow of information, the strength of your democracy, and your personal safety.

  • Stay critical.
  • Speak up for safer tech.
  • Support platforms that protect your rights and your reality.

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