Telling people to use Telegram instead of Signal is terrible advice because in the one area that counts (encryption), Telegram is far less reliable than Signal (and even WhatsApp). It is profoundly irresponsible right now to recommend it to anyone.
Telegram uses their own encryption protocol, of which they don't allow a comprehensive independent audit. So those "secret chats" are as "secret" as a pinky swear to privacy from a preteen. Good luck.
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Given the Russian political landscape, there's no shot Telegram is free of Russian government influence.
Like the Russian government wouldn't have their paws all over ANY communication application...