Telegram to hit one billion users within a year, even as the US pressures the messaging app to spy on its users

Telegram is on track to cross one billion active monthly users within a year, Pavel Durov, the billionaire founder of the messaging app, said on Tuesday.

In a recent interview with U.S. journalist Tucker Carlson, Durov projected the messaging app’s trajectory toward reaching one billion monthly active users within the coming year. Characterizing its expansion as “spreading like wildfire,” Durov emphasized the platform’s unprecedented growth.

Originally founded by Durov in Dubai, Telegram emerged following his departure from Russia in 2014 amidst a dispute over censorship demands regarding his VK social media platform.

The catalyst for Telegram’s surge came in 2021 when WhatsApp, a Facebook-owned entity, faced backlash over its privacy policy updates. This prompted a mass migration of users seeking refuge in more secure communication platforms like Telegram and Signal, pushing Telegram to become the number one most downloaded app in the world.

“We’ll probably cross one billion monthly active users within a year now,” Durov remarked during the interview, highlighting Telegram’s current user base of 900 million. Despite governmental pressures, Durov reaffirmed Telegram’s commitment to maintaining a neutral stance, emphasizing its role as a platform rather than a geopolitical player.

TELEGRAM FOUNDER: THE U.S. TRIED TO HIRE MY EMPLOYEE TO HELP THEM SPY ON USERS

Tucker:

"The US government tried to secretly hire your engineer?"

Doruv:

"That's what he told me. They wanted him to code open-source tools into the app that would serve as backdoors."

Tucker:… https://t.co/ClERJeTG7R pic.twitter.com/6WWCcmZsd3

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) April 17, 2024

As the primary competitor to Meta Platforms’ WhatsApp, which boasts over two billion monthly active users, Telegram has emerged as a dominant force in the realm of social media, particularly in regions formerly under Soviet influence.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Telegram has become a pivotal source of unfiltered information regarding the conflict, albeit with occasional dissemination of graphic or misleading content from various perspectives.

Durov’s inspiration for an encrypted messaging app stemmed from his personal experiences in Russia, where he faced governmental pressures. Regarding allegations of Russian control over Telegram, Durov dismissed them as baseless rumors propagated by competitors apprehensive of Telegram’s ascent.

Having journeyed through multiple countries including Berlin, London, Singapore, and San Francisco, Durov cited bureaucratic obstacles and security concerns, particularly in the U.S., as significant challenges. He disclosed encounters with individuals attempting to steal his phone and alleged recruitment attempts by U.S. security agencies to establish a backdoor into Telegram.

However, Durov identified tech giants such as Apple and Google as the primary adversaries to freedom of speech, citing their potential to censor content accessible via smartphones. He underscored the importance of operating from a neutral standpoint, ultimately choosing the United Arab Emirates for its diplomatic neutrality.

Telegram, Durov asserted, serves as a platform for diverse voices, accommodating both opposition movements and governmental entities without taking sides. Emphasizing the value of open discourse, Durov conveyed his commitment to fostering an environment conducive to progress and societal betterment.

In his pursuit of freedom, Durov shuns the conventional markers of wealth, opting instead for a minimalist lifestyle devoid of extravagant possessions. For him, true wealth lies in personal liberty rather than material acquisitions.