Username (Public Handle): The primary way users are found and communicate without sharing a phone number.
Profile Elements (Visual Identity): Customizable elements with privacy controls.
Fragment (+888 numbers) (Anonymity Option): A way to create accounts without relying on a personal phone number linked to real-world identity.
This layered system allows users to choose their telegram number database desired level of privacy and anonymity, from being easily discoverable by known contacts to maintaining a high degree of pseudonymity in public interactions.
Telegram explicitly states that it does not use your data, including phone numbers, for advertising or marketing purposes, nor does it sell your data to third parties.
Limited Law Enforcement Disclosure: As of September 2024, Telegram's Privacy Policy indicates that it may disclose a user's IP address and phone number to relevant judicial authorities. This occurs only in response to a valid legal request where the user is suspected of criminal activities that violate Telegram's Terms of Service. Telegram states it conducts a legal analysis of such requests and commits to publishing transparency reports. This disclosure does not apply to the content of Secret Chats, which remain end-to-end encrypted and inaccessible to Telegram.
By understanding these aspects, you can navigate Telegram's features and privacy settings to ensure your phone number's exposure aligns with your comfort level, while still enjoying the full functionality of the platform.