Telegram's phone number system has significant security implications, both positive and negative. It's a foundational element that shapes how users are identified, accounts are recovered, and the platform combats abuse.
I. Positive Security Implications (Benefits)
Verifiable Identity: Each Telegram account is tied to a unique, verifiable phone number. This provides a strong, primary identifier that is difficult to duplicate at scale (compared to email addresses telegram number database or arbitrary usernames).
Account Uniqueness: This uniqueness helps prevent the creation of numerous duplicate or fake accounts by a single malicious entity.
Spam and Bot Prevention:
Cost Barrier: Requiring a real phone number (even if virtual) significantly raises the cost and complexity for spammers and bot operators to register and maintain large volumes of abusive accounts. Acquiring and verifying thousands of phone numbers is much harder than creating thousands of email addresses.
Rate Limiting and Suspension: Telegram can tie reported spam/abuse back to a specific phone number, making it easier to impose temporary or permanent bans on repeat offenders, even if they try to create new accounts.