# Privacy

## 1. Open Source Transparency

**Telegram’s** source code, protocol, and **API** are open for anyone to review, ensuring **transparency** in how your data is handled. 🔍

## 2. Self-Destruct Timers

You can set **self-destruct** timers on messages, ensuring that they automatically **disappear** after a certain period, giving you **full control** over your conversations. ⏳

## 3. Two-Step Verification

**Telegram** offers **two-step** verification for **added privacy** and **account protection**, requiring a **password** in addition to your **SMS code** when logging in. ✅

## 4. No Permanent Message Storage

**Telegram** doesn’t store your messages permanently, meaning **your data isn’t kept** on their servers indefinitely. This gives you **control** over your information. 💨

## 5. Non-Commercial Focus

Since **Telegram’s** primary goal isn’t to make a profit, there are no commercial interests that might compromise your **privacy**. Their **focus** remains on **protecting** your data. 📁

## 6. No Trust Required for Secret Chats

For **Secret Chats**, you don’t need to trust **Telegram** fully—just ensure that the **visualized key** in your chat **matches** your friend's to verify the **security** of your conversation. 🕵️‍♂️

## ✅ The Bottom Line :

### These features work together to ensure that your privacy is well-protected on Telegram.

Now that we’ve talked about privacy, let’s check out how Telegram keeps things [safe and secure](/general-information/telegram-basics/security.md) ➡️

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="files"></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Security </td><td><a href="/files/QijsjUaHtW26sh9naopU">/files/QijsjUaHtW26sh9naopU</a></td><td><a href="/pages/wwpK6jY5Yw5qT6LRRnIe">/pages/wwpK6jY5Yw5qT6LRRnIe</a></td></tr><tr><td>Register &#x26; Create Walletium </td><td><a href="/files/oY7LLAWQDVaX6oVzproB">/files/oY7LLAWQDVaX6oVzproB</a></td><td><a href="/pages/XA5wBAuqCqyFVn0Nn2gT">/pages/XA5wBAuqCqyFVn0Nn2gT</a></td></tr><tr><td>Onboarding </td><td><a href="/files/l0GiW5Gk3Xl3n1luz9yW">/files/l0GiW5Gk3Xl3n1luz9yW</a></td><td><a href="/pages/C5DMKZVqTJoLcj7k2iUu">/pages/C5DMKZVqTJoLcj7k2iUu</a></td></tr></tbody></table>


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