Telegram Will Reach 1 Bn Users In A Year: CEO Pavel Durov
Instant messaging platform Telegram is anticipated to attract about one billion active monthly users in a year, according to a media report on Wednesday.
This optimism was expressed by Telegram founder Pavel Durov, who said the application’s popularity is spreading like fire.
Durov highlighted that the current objective of the free cloud-based application, which boasts 900 million active users, is to maintain its status as a "neutral platform" rather than becoming involved in geopolitics.
Telegram has gained a substantial user base in Ukraine and Russia, making it the most popular messaging platform in these countries. Since the conflict between the two nations, particularly after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Telegram has emerged as a crucial tool for both governments. Additionally, it has become a preferred platform for sharing and accessing unfiltered information related to the ongoing war.
The majority of prominent media outlets, governmental organisations and public figures in Russia and Ukraine utilise Telegram for sharing content.
Incidentally, Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, shares his daily video messages through the application, while the armed forces diligently inform about potential air raids and meticulously record the progress on the battlefield. Conversely, the Kremlin chooses to disclose President Vladimir Putin's engagements via Telegram, while the opposition in Russia actively organises rallies to garner support.
However, according to critics, the application has also been utilised as a means to spread false information and to manipulate users. In March, a proposed legislation was presented to the Ukrainian parliament, aiming to impose more stringent regulations on Telegram and other social media platforms.
Durov was cautioned by the Kremlin to be careful after claims emerged that the messaging app had been used to recruit the individuals involved in the concert hall attack near Moscow in March.
