How does Telegram handle phone number visibility?

[jakiyasultana2525]

Telegram takes a nuanced approach to phone number visibility, offering users significant control over who can see their phone number while still using it as the primary account identifier. This contrasts with some other messaging apps that make phone numbers more prominent by default.

Here's how Telegram handles phone number visibility:

Phone Number as Primary Account Identifier (for Registration):

Like most messaging apps, Telegram requires a phone number for initial registration and verification. This is to uniquely identify users and to help combat spam and the creation of fake accounts.
The phone number is linked to your Telegram account on their servers.
Privacy Settings for Phone Number Visibility:
Telegram provides granular control over who can see your phone number in its "Privacy and Security" settings:

"Who can see my phone number?": This is the main setting, with three options:
Everybody (Default): Anyone who has your phone number (or potentially guesses it) can see your Telegram profile and potentially initiate a chat with you.
Nobody: This is the most private option. If you select "Nobody," your phone shareholder data number will not be visible to anyone, even if they have it saved in their phone's contacts. This is a significant privacy feature for users who wish to remain anonymous.
"Who can find me by my number?" (When "Nobody" is selected):
If you choose "Nobody" for "Who can see my phone number?", an additional setting appears: "Who can find me by my number?". This controls whether people who already possess your phone number can find your Telegram profile.

Everybody: If someone has your phone number, they can find your Telegram profile, even if they're not in your contacts.
My Contacts: Only users who have your phone number saved in their contact list and are in your Telegram contacts can find you by your number. This offers an extra layer of protection, especially useful if you interact with people you don't necessarily want to give full access to your social graph.
The Role of Usernames for Privacy:

Telegram heavily promotes the use of usernames. A username is a public identifier (e.g., @yourusername) that allows people to find you on Telegram without needing your phone number.
If you set a username, you can share that username instead of your phone number. People can search for you by your username in Telegram's global search.
When communicating via username, your phone number remains hidden from the other party (provided your "Who can see my phone number" setting is not "Everybody").
This feature is key to Telegram's privacy approach, allowing users to participate in public groups, channels, or even one-on-one chats without revealing their personal phone number.
Contact Syncing:

Telegram, like many messaging apps, offers a feature to sync your device's contacts with its servers to automatically discover friends who are also on Telegram.
Telegram states in its privacy policy that it stores your up-to-date contacts to notify you when they sign up and to display names in notifications. It only needs the number and name (first and last) for this. You can always stop syncing contacts or delete them from their servers in Settings > Privacy & Security > Data Settings.
"People Nearby" Feature:

Telegram also has a "People Nearby" feature that allows users to see and connect with other Telegram users in their vicinity. This feature can reveal your presence to strangers if activated, and users who prioritize privacy should be aware of it and disable it if not needed. Your exact phone number is not directly revealed by this feature unless you initiate contact.
In summary, Telegram stands out by giving users significant control over phone number visibility through its privacy settings and by offering usernames as a primary alternative identifier. While a phone number is mandatory for account creation, users can choose to hide it from everyone, rely on their contacts, or use a public username to communicate while maintaining a higher degree of phone number privacy.