The instant messaging platform, Telegram, may have been challenged by the new features rolled out recently by its main rival WhatsApp. And in response, it has come up with nine major updates to counter it.
One of the new features, which now gives Telegram an edge over WhatsApp, is the ability to sign up for an account without a SIM card.
Before now, Telegram, like WhatsApp, required a phone number to sign up new users for the service, with your account tied to it.
However, with the new feature, the company said: “You can have a Telegram account without a SIM card and log in using blockchain-powered anonymous numbers available on the Fragment platform.”
Other features:
Aside from the ability to sign up without a SIM, Telegram also rolled out other features which are highlighted.
Auto-delete all chats:
With this feature, Telegram said it is expanding users’ control over their digital footprint into the future.
“You can now set a global auto-delete timer to automatically remove messages in all new chats. Existing chats will not be affected, but you can easily expand your auto-delete settings to any of them from the new menu in Settings > Privacy & Security > Auto-Delete Messages.
“The timer will be automatically applied to all your new chats with users – regardless of who starts them – and to all new groups you create,” Telegram said.
Ultimate Privacy:
Telegram said it now gives users full ownership of their entire message history through its unique combination of removing messages for all participants without a trace, and controlling existing and future chats with auto-delete timers.
“Together with using your account without a SIM card it delivers ultimate privacy,” the company said.
Topics 2.0:
While its previous update gave admins of large groups the option to organize discussions into topics, merging classic internet forums with the latest in messaging technology, Telegram topics have now become even more powerful – and are now available for groups of 100 members or more.