Pavel Durov, the enigmatic founder of Telegram, revealed that the number of Telegram Premium subscribers has surged past 5 million users. This comes after Durov’s earlier proclamation that 20 million Premium users were necessary to cover all associated costs.
The milestone is noteworthy; within a month, the messenger jumped from 4 to 5 million Premium subscribers, marking a significant acceleration compared to the year-and-a-half journey to reach the initial 4 million. Durov emphasized the unprecedented growth rate, making Telegram Premium the fastest-growing paid subscription in the history of messaging apps.
Telegram launched its paid subscription in mid-2022, achieving 4 million Premium subscribers by December 2022. Durov celebrated the achievement, noting the doubling in five months and quadrupling within a year. However, this success is met with controversy, especially regarding Telegram’s role in Ukraine.
Amid discussions about the platform’s regulation, Telegram’s popularity soared in Ukraine during the war, serving as a crucial communication tool and news dissemination platform. The issue of safety and security on Telegram has been a subject of scrutiny, with concerns raised about the lack of end-to-end encryption in regular chats.
Critics argue that the platform facilitates the spread of propaganda and hostility, while others question its safety for military use. In 2023, Yaroslav Azhnyuk, co-founder of Petcube, raised concerns about Telegram’s trustworthiness, citing alleged statements from undisclosed sources about the FSB having access to the platform’s keys.
Pavel Durov, a Russian-born Emirati programmer, has faced controversies over his nationality and past association with the banned Russian social network vkontakte. Despite his reluctance to be labeled Russian, he has not publicly condemned Russia as an aggressor, sparking further debates on his stance amid geopolitical tensions.
As Telegram Premium’s numbers soar, the platform finds itself in the midst of both acclaim and controversy, leaving users and regulators alike to navigate the intricate landscape of privacy, security, and national sentiments.