Recently, several hacker groups, including CyberVolk, have announced their departure from Telegram due to growing privacy and security concerns. The decision comes after the arrest of Telegram’s founder and an ongoing investigation into the platform, raising fears that its encryption could be compromised and user data exposed.
Why the Shift?
Telegram’s potential cooperation with authorities has prompted hackers to seek alternatives. CyberVolk, for example, has stated they will move to platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Session, and Discord for community discussions. These platforms offer varying levels of privacy and security:
- X (formerly Twitter): Popular for public communication but not traditionally secure. Being a US-based platform, it is subject to government cooperation requirements.
- Session: Provides decentralised, anonymous messaging without requiring personal information, making it difficult to trace users.
- Discord: Offers private servers but is monitored and can be compelled to share information with authorities.
Expert Opinion: Telegram Still in Play
Despite the migration, our Threat Intelligence lead believes that many hackers will continue using Telegram, especially those in countries unlikely to cooperate with international authorities. The platform’s integration into various underground communities makes it hard to abandon completely.
New Security Measures
Telegram’s CEO has recently introduced new security enhancements, including stronger encryption, decentralised servers, and improved user controls. However, it remains to be seen whether these changes will be enough to regain trust among its users.
