Telegram does implement measures to protect the synced data and your privacy:
Encryption: Synced contacts are stored heavily encrypted on Telegram’s servers.
Purpose-Specific Use: Telegram states it only uses the data to identify users and populate your list, not for advertising or selling to third parties.
User Control: You can:
Disable “Sync Contacts”: Turn off syncing at any time (Settings > Privacy and Security > Contacts / Data Settings > Sync Contacts).
“Delete Synced Contacts”: Remove previously uploaded contact data from Telegram’s servers using the same settings path.
Control Your Own Number’s Visibility: You can set “Who can see my phone number?” to “Nobody” and “Who can find me by my number?” to “My Contacts” (Settings > Privacy and Security > Phone Number). This prevents people from seeing your number on your telegram number database profile or finding you by searching for it, even if you sync contacts.
Use Usernames: Encourage others to find you via your username (@yourusername), which hides your phone number.
Pros of Syncing Phone Contacts to Telegram
For ultimate privacy, you can create a Telegram account using a non-SIM-based +888 number from Fragment.com, completely decoupling your account from your real phone number.
In conclusion, syncing phone contacts with Telegram offers significant convenience for connecting with your existing network. However, it’s crucial to be aware of the privacy implications, particularly regarding “contact joined” notifications and mobile numbers and global connectivity the initial upload of your address book. Telegram provides robust settings to manage these aspects and protect your overall privacy.
Syncing your phone contacts to Telegram is an optional feature that significantly impacts your experience on the platform. It offers clear convenience czechia businesses directory but also comes with privacy considerations. Understanding both the pros and cons is crucial for making an informed decision.