Telegram Offers Users Free Premium, But Privacy Concerns Raised Over Required Phone Number Sharing
• Telegram introduced a new feature where users get free Telegram Premium in exchange for allowing their phone number to be used to send one-time passwords to others logging in.
• This raises privacy concerns as it allows strangers to look up users' phone numbers and Telegram accounts.
• Telegram says it won't be liable for any damages from this, giving itself indemnity from all claims.
• Users are told not to engage with those who receive passwords from their number, but this can't be enforced.
• Users have to weigh if giving their number to strangers to save money on Telegram Premium is worth the privacy risks.