TechPression

Tag: Telegram

  • Telegram claims ‘accusations against Pavel Durov are absurd’

    Telegram claims ‘accusations against Pavel Durov are absurd’

    While French authorities have been reticent thus far, Russian legislators have expressed disapproval of Mr. Durov’s arrest on Saturday.

    Following Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram, who was in continuous detention in France, the company believes he has “nothing to hide” and that the accusations against him are absurd.

    After his private jet touched down at Le Bourget airport on the outskirts of Paris on Saturday, the billionaire founder of the encrypted messaging service was taken into custody.

    Read also: #FreeDurov trends on X as campaign for the release of the Telegram’s CEO gathers momentum

    Unnamed sources told news networks BFMTV and TF1 that the Russian-born businessman, who obtained French citizenship in 2021, was the target of a search order.

    According to both sources, the inquiry was centred on possible user criminal conduct and Telegram’s dearth of moderators.

    Although French police have not yet commented, they added that the warrant claims his platform has been used for money laundering, drug trafficking, and other offences.

    “Telegram abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act – its moderation is within industry standards and constantly improving,” the company stated on Sunday.

    “Peter Durov, the CEO of Telegram, is a frequent visitor to Europe and has nothing to conceal.

    “It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner is responsible for abuse of that platform.”

    Nearly one billion people use Telegram, making it one of the most downloaded applications worldwide.

    Telegram’s strong focus on privacy 

    It prioritises privacy and provides end-to-end encryption, which effectively prevents data from being intercepted.

    However, because of these characteristics, it is a well-liked location for criminal activities. Recently, far-right activists used it to incite riots across the UK in response to the stabbings in Southport.

    After losing control of his former social network company, Vkontakte (VK), Mr. Durov, 39, he departed Russia in 2014.

    He declined to provide security services access to information about Ukrainian protestors and to cooperate with government orders to close down opposition groups on the site.

    In August 2021, he obtained French citizenship after relocating to Dubai in 2017.

    According to Russian state news agency TASS, the Russian embassy in France has requested that Mr. Durov be granted consular access and his rights be upheld.

    According to the embassy, Russian diplomats communicate with Durov’s attorney, but France has “avoided engagement” in the matter thus far.

    Read also: Telegram messaging app CEO Durov detained in France

    Who is Pavel Durov

    Here is all the information you need to know about Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram. He is among the richest people in the world and was frequently referred to as the “Russian Mark Zuckerberg.”

    Pavel Durov, a Russian-born businessman, is the creator and owner of Telegram, a free messaging service that rivals platforms like Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and TikTok.

    He is sometimes referred to as “Russia’s Mark Zuckerberg,” and Forbes estimates his wealth at $15.5 billion (£11.7 billion), making him the 120th richest person in the world.

    The 39-year-old fled the nation in 2014, the same year that Telegram was introduced, defying orders from the government to close down opposition communities on VKontakte, an older social media network he and his brother had developed and later sold.

    In August 2021, he obtained French citizenship after relocating to Dubai in 2017.

  • #FreeDurov trends on X as campaign for the release of the Telegram’s CEO gathers momentum

    #FreeDurov trends on X as campaign for the release of the Telegram’s CEO gathers momentum

    CEO and billionaire Pavel Durov of Telegram, who was detained at a Paris airport on suspicion of crimes relating to his well-known messaging app, is scheduled to appear in court on Sunday, according to AFP sources.

    After the French-Russian billionaire, 39, was apprehended on Saturday night at Le Bourget airport, Russia has accused France of “refusing to cooperate.”

    A source knowledgeable of the case stated that Durov had travelled from Baku, Azerbaijan.

    An insider revealed that Durov was the subject of an arrest warrant issued by France’s OFMIN, an office entrusted with preventing violence against minors, as part of an initial probe into charges involving fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organised crime, and propaganda of terrorism.

    Read also: Telegram messaging app CEO Durov detained in France

    Durov is accused of not doing enough to stop illegal activity on his platform.

    A detective, taken aback when Durov took a plane to Paris while being aware that he was wanted, declared, “Enough of Telegram’s impunity.”

    In support of Durov after his detention, paper planes—a reference to the Telegram messaging app’s logo—have been positioned throughout Moscow.

    France refused to cooperate with Russia

    Russian officials said they requested access to Durov but received no answer from France.

    “We urged that his rights be upheld and that he be provided access to consular services, and we promptly asked the French authorities to explain the circumstances behind this imprisonment.

    “The French side is refusing to cooperate on this question up to this point.” Russia’s embassy in Paris stated in a statement by the news agency Ria Novosti.

    Elon Musk and Robert F. Kennedy react 

    Entrepreneur Elon Musk, the owner of the social media network X, wrote in French, “Liberte Liberte! Liberte?” (“Freedom, Freedom, Freedom”?), along with the hashtag #FreePavel.

    “The need to protect free speech has never been more urgent,” stated Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a former US presidential candidate, on X.

    Read also: Telegram’s innovative Star-Toncoin payment system

    Netizens demand for Durov’s freedom 

    Since Pavel Durov’s arrest, the campaign for the release of the Telegram CEO has been gathering momentum with the #FreeDurov. As of the time of writing this report, it is the number one threading hashtag globally.

    An X user named Kyle Chassé wrote, “We live in a world where we supposedly have freedom of speech and privacy. Then why did they arrest Telegram’s founder?”

    They want us controlled. They want us silenced. They want us to live according to their narrative. #FREEDUROV”

    “You can’t enslave what you can’t control. This is why the government hates Decentralization… #FREEDUROV”, according to Lord Drey

    A parody X account of Pavel Durov wrote, “They can’t stop Telegram, They can’t stop $TON $NOT $DOGS, They can’t stop us. Imagine all the farmers on Telegram supporting the #FREEDUROV movement. They’ll be surprised where Durov got all these millions of supporters from. #FREEDUROV”

    Luka Grunt tweeted, “Our freedom of speech is under attack ‼️

    Now more than ever, we must protect our right to free expression and privacy. Stand with #FREEDUROV and fight for a future where our voices remain free.”

    “Restore Freedom of Speech, Stand Against Censorship. #FREEDUROV #FreePavelDurov ✊”, according to @Open4profit

    The latest development reported that the French authorities prolonged Pavel Durov’s detention by 96 hours.

  • Telegram messaging app CEO Durov detained in France

    Telegram messaging app CEO Durov detained in France

    According to French news stations TF1 and BFM TV, Telegram’s wealthy CEO and creator Pavel Durov was reportedly arrested on Saturday night at Bourget Airport, which is close to Paris.

    According to Reuters, Durov was detained on a French warrant while departing from Azerbaijan on his private jet in connection with an initial police inquiry into Telegram’s potential involvement in aiding illegal activity.

    Remarks from Telegram were not immediately available after Reuters reached out to them. Both the French police and Interior Ministry remained silent.

    Read also: WhatsApp’s threat to leave Nigeria seeks to sway public opinion, says FCCPC

    According to TF1, Durov was travelling from Azerbaijan and was taken into custody at about 20:00 (18:00 GMT).

    The 39-year-old Franco-Russian Durov was reportedly accompanied by a bodyguard and a woman when the Air Transport Gendarmerie arrested him, according to a different report from Bitcoinnews.com.

    After arriving from Azerbaijan, Durov was arrested via a French search warrant obtained by the French judicial police’s OFMIN because he was on the wanted persons list (FPR). The warrant only became active when he entered France. Google Translated from what a source close to the investigation told the news outlet:

    He committed a mistake this evening. We’re not sure why. Was this merely a stopover flight? Either way, he’s under arrest!

    Telegram accused of aiding crimes 

    The National Anti-Fraud Office holds Durov under custody (ONAF). French authorities accuse Telegram of enabling crimes, including fraud, drug trafficking, and terrorism, among other things. The French news site was further informed by a source acquainted with the investigation that:

    It continued, “He did nothing to moderate or cooperate for the incalculable number of offences and crimes committed on his platform.”

    The price of TONNE fell precipitously after the announcement. As of this writing, it is down 13% from its earlier trading price of $5.96.

    From fleeing Russia to being arrested in France 

    In a similar development, American conservative commentator Tucker Carlson discussed his thoughts on X, pointing out how ironic it is that Durov is being held by a Western nation after the Russian government previously rejected attempts to regulate his platform.

    He wrote, “When the Russian government attempted to take over his social media company, Telegram, Pavel Durov fled the country.” However, Putin wasn’t the one who imprisoned him in the end for permitting the public to use their right to free expression.

    “He was imprisoned by a Western nation that was also a fervent supporter of NATO and an ally of the Biden administration.

    “Tonight, Pavel Durov is incarcerated in France, serving as a live warning to platform owners who defy governments and intelligence services by refusing to censor the truth. The once-free world is rapidly approaching darkness.

    Read also: EFCC denies hacking claims, attributes X account downtime to technical glitch

    Telegram CEO’s strong stance 

    In an article titled “What is Toncoin (TONNE)”, published on August 16, 2024, Atomic Wallet named the Durov brothers as the TON’s proprietors.

    The Durov brothers, Nickolai and Pavel, set out to create an efficient blockchain in 2018 to serve Telegram’s enormous user base. In this vein, they initiated the GRAMME project after raising $1.7 billion via a private initial coin offering (ICO)—roughly $5 for every US citizen.

    “The white paper and the primary blockchain components were created after the funds were raised. As a test before the significant rollout, the Tonne network—formerly known as Gram—was introduced in 2019, the statement stated.

    Russian-born Durov, who left Russia in 2014 after being ordered to close down opposition communities on his sold social networking platform VK, is the founder of Telegram, a company headquartered in Dubai.

    Forbes values Durov’s wealth at $15.5 billion. He claimed that while certain governments have tried to exert pressure on him, the app, which currently has 900 million active users, needs to continue to be a “neutral platform” rather than a “player in geopolitics.”

  • Telegram’s innovative Star-Toncoin payment system

    Telegram’s innovative Star-Toncoin payment system

    Telegram, the chat app that cares about privacy, is expanding the uses of Stars, the digital currency it just released. Stars were first added for in-app purchases in mini-apps. 

    Now, they are being added for paid material so that channel owners can profit from their photos, videos, and posts.

    Read also: Bitcoin price drops below $60,000 may result to panic selling-Expert warns

    Cryptocurrency Integration: Telegram’s Move

    This strategic approach expands Telegram’s content creator revenue and integrates its in-app economy with the cryptocurrency ecosystem. The firm now lets channel owners change stars into Toncoin, the native cryptocurrency of The Open Network (TONNE) blockchain.

    Content creators may use Stars since it gives direct access to a well-established cryptocurrency with a significant market value. Telegram’s relationship with the TONNE ecosystem may boost Toncoin’s demand and adoption.

    Embracing Blockchain: Telegram’s Trend

    Telegram’s adoption of Bitcoin follows a trend among social media networks to use blockchain technology and digital assets to engage and monetise users. Stars and Toncoin’s integration offers exciting prospects, but regulatory compliance and user adoption are concerns.

    Read also: 3MTT partners with AltMall to provide laptops for their fellows

    To use Stars and Toncoin legally and securely, Telegram must navigate the changing cryptocurrency regulatory landscape. This project will succeed if Telegram successfully communicates the benefits to users and content developers.

    The introduction of Telegram’s Stars and Toncoin digital currencies represents a significant step forward in the ongoing evolution of the cryptocurrency ecosystem. It indicates that the organisation is committed to innovation and eager to explore new routes for expanding user engagement and monetisation opportunities. 

    Over the next few months, we will see how this new development will affect the future of Telegram and how it will play a role in the proliferation of cryptocurrency use within social media.

  • Unleash your gaming skills with ‘Hamster Kombat’ Telegram game airdrop

    Unleash your gaming skills with ‘Hamster Kombat’ Telegram game airdrop

    Telegram-based games will be familiar to Web3 fans in 2024. Some Telegram-made Web3 games are out, and many more are under development with release dates.

    After Notcoin, Hamster Kombat led the next generation of Telegram crypto games, reportedly attracting over 150 million players amid a social media rush.

    What makes people want to play this game where you play as the CEO of a crypto exchange as a hamster and make simple tapping moves? There will soon be an airdrop of tokens, which is an excellent reason to do all that tapping and more.

    Read also: Telegram users in Kenya face technical issues

    We’ll talk about everything you need to know about this new Web3 game and how to get the most out of it when it comes out.

    What is Hamster Kombat?

    Hamster Kombat is a Telegram-based tap-to-earn game that came out on March 26. Players can mine coins by tapping their screens and doing chores. 

    The project says that more than 100 million people have played it. The idea behind Hamster Kombat is like the ideas behind Notcoin and TapSwap, but the game rules are more complicated. In this game, you can tap to make money, and it also acts like a crypto exchange.

    The project will launch its token and airdrop on The Open Network (TONNE), where Notcoin and TapSwap are coming. Hamster Kombat will give in-game cash collectors tradeable crypto tokens in this anticipated airdrop.

    How the Hamster Kombat game works 

    With Tapswap and Notcoin, users tap the screen to win coins, but Hamster Kombat is different.

    As CEO of a new cryptocurrency exchange, it’s your job to make it very successful. You can get coins by tapping a golden coin, which you can use to improve your exchange in the game’s “Mine” tab. This tab shows all the different upgrades that players can buy with in-game coins. 

    One of the new features in the upgrade is the ability to add Bitcoin to your exchange, set up a Know Your Customer (KYC) process, or go on the Joe Rogan show. Every crypto exchange upgrade you buy gives you more coins automatically. It costs 250 points to add the BTC pair to your exchange, but you earn 40 points every hour after that. 

    To put it more simply, these features assist in increasing your exchange. Participants can earn passively by buying unique cards in the “Mine” area. These cards will keep earning coins for up to three hours after the player leaves the game. You can speed up your earnings in the game by using boosts like improving tap productivity and raising the energy limit, among others.

    In addition, Hamster Kombat players can perform special missions to get extra coins. Referral programmes are another way to get extra coins. Referring friends to the Hamster Kombat game gives players extra points.

    Read also: Enhancing Your Snapchat Experience with PSTNET Cards

    What Makes a Hamster Kombat Airdrop Token Unique?

    Hamster Kombat had already confirmed a July airdrop. Unlike Notcoin, according to creators, there won’t be a simple conversion from in-game currencies to on-chain tokens.

    According to an X (Twitter) post on June 6: “Airdrop will depend on the profit per hour and some other [activity] parameters that we will reveal later, NOT the coin balance.”

    Also, on May 31, Hamster Kombat announced on X (Twitter) that it would launch its token on the TON blockchain. 

    “Dear CEOs! The Hamster Family has become the biggest edutainment community on Telegram and the entire crypto industry. We are now happy to share that we have decided to launch our product & upcoming token on the TON blockchain.” It said 

    Telegram’s blockchain will include Hamster Kombat, Notcoin, TapSwap, and Yescoin. Get gaming now! You can join online if you have not done so.

  • Telegram is not operating in Kenya without a VPN

    Telegram is not operating in Kenya without a VPN

    Kenyan Telegram users have experienced occasional service outages for several days. At some times of the day, sending and receiving platform messages has been hindered. This issue has continued for a while, and the only workaround seems to be using a VPN configured to a different location, suggesting a regional issue.

    This problem with service interruptions happens simultaneously as a new hot topic. An announcement said that the current Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams were being leaked through Telegram channels before these frequent outages.

    This link raises an important question: is Telegram access being intentionally limited at certain times of the day to stop more leaks? In that case, these actions are done secretly, without any official announcement or legal reason. This leaves users confused and angry.

    Read also: Telegram users in Kenya face technical issues

    Kenyan Telegram users need a cause

    The other option is for Telegram to give its Kenyan users a straightforward reason if the interruptions are not the result of deliberate action. It’s worrying that these outages aren’t being made clear, especially since the site is essential for communication.

    On a larger scale, if it turns out that Telegram access is being blocked on purpose, it sets a worrying example. In Kenya, it would mean a move toward a more limited internet, where the government or other groups might feel free to block access to certain apps or websites whenever they want. The problem is made worse when there are no public announcements, court orders, or other forms of documentation. This goes against the principles of openness and accountability in government.

    Telegram introduces stories, for Premium subscribers

    This situation, therefore, raises two fundamental issues. At first, there needs to be instant clarity and openness from the appropriate authorities or Telegram about what these service interruptions are all about. 

    Additionally, it shows the more considerable effects of internet freedom in Kenya, stressing how important it is to closely watch and speak out for digital rights and freedom protection.

  • Telegram users in Kenya face technical issues

    Telegram users in Kenya face technical issues

    A significant number of Telegram users in Kenya have reported that they have been experiencing periodic loss of access to the widely used Telegram chat service since Thursday.

    The problem appears to be becoming more prevalent for the second day in a row, affecting a sizeable number of customers all around the country.

    Read also: Chapa partners with Telegram to enable digital payments in Ethiopia

    Details of the problem

    When attempting to log in to the application through a browser, for instance, you can see the error message “web.telegram.org took too long to respond.” The fact that the inaccessibility does not remain constant is an additional mystery that must be solved. It is possible that one of your Telegram accounts may log you in without any problems, while the other will give you an error message when you try to access it.

    A further problem that users of Telegram are currently confronted with is a delay in updating channels. Users of the app are, as expected, receiving Telegram notifications on both their mobile and desktop devices. However, when the app is opened, a user may find that the Channel for which they have just received a notification does not have the most recent version. There is no set pattern to the delay that occurs when upgrading channels. In the present situation, it can range anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. 

    When it comes to sending texts, you’ll experience the same delay. A significantly longer period of time than is typical for a user message to remain unsent on the chat platform. It’s possible that the search bar on the platform may display the word “reconnecting,” leading users to believe that there’s something wrong with their network connection.

    The app login itself being unavailable is currently the worst-case situation that has been observed. It is possible that you will find yourself logged out of your Telegram account if you access it from a browser. This takes place in a hurried manner and without prior warning.

    Only Telegram in Kenya is likely affected

    Telegram has not recognized the problems Kenya is experiencing on any of its official channels. As a result, internet users are left to speculate and even double-check with their internet service providers (ISPs) to determine whether or not the platform has been restricted. As of right now, it appears that the problem is only affecting customers in Kenya, according to reports that have been coming in since November 8th. 

    The monitoring service Downdetector by Ookla has not identified any significant problems with the platform. It is important to highlight the fact that Downdetector “only reports an incident when the number of problem reports is significantly higher than the typical volume for that time of day.” Because there have been no global reports filed by these platforms or by individual users, it appears that this issue is specific to Kenya.

    In response to a question posed by a user, Airtel Kenya provided the following statement in their response: “We are working to resolve the telegram issue as soon as possible, and we will inform you once a permanent fix has been done.”

    However, the problem is not exclusive to customers of the Airtel Kenya Network by any means. Additionally, customers who rely on Safaricom have reported having the same issue. According to my own first-hand account, switching from Safaricom Home Fibre to Zuku was ultimately successful in fixing the issue. The root of the problem has not been identified as of yet.

    The remedy already utilized 

    As a workaround for the persisting problem, a significant number of users are now connecting to Telegram over Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). A virtual private network, or VPN, is a set of tools that encrypts your internet connection and replaces your original IP address with a new one that originates in a different part of the world. 

    Users are able to circumvent any geo-restrictions and access content that may be unavailable in their present location because of this feature. In Kenya, the usage of virtual private networks (VPNs) does not violate any laws.

    Telegram introduces stories, for Premium subscribers

    The speculation

    Some people believe that the intermittent interruption of Telegram service is being caused by local internet service providers limiting access to the servers. Even if there is no hard evidence to back up this claim just yet, considering the current state of affairs, it is not out of the realm of possibilities that it may be true. 

    Airtel Kenya, a local telecommunications provider, is aware of the situation and has issued the following statement in response: “We apologize for the inconvenience, we are working to resolve the telegram issue as soon as possible and we will inform you once a permanent fix has been done, kindly bear with us as we do so. Thank you for your patience.” 

    In the event that this is the case, it would not be the first time that local providers have restricted access to a messaging application. In the past, occurrences that are quite similar to this one have taken place in numerous regions of the world, frequently as a result of political or regulatory issues. 

    Another possible explanation for this is that it has something to do with the ongoing national examinations. In the past, Kenyans have been known to utilize the messaging software Telegram as a platform to distribute exam information that has been obtained illegally.

  • Somalia bans TikTok, Telegram, and 1XBet to maintain morality

    Somalia bans TikTok, Telegram, and 1XBet to maintain morality

    The Somalian government banned TikTok, Telegram, and 1XBet in order to stop people from being rude and violent. In a public statement on X (which used to be Twitter), the government told domestic ISPs to block the above sites.

    Jama Hassan Khalif, Somalia’s Minister of Communications and Technology, says that ISPs have until Thursday (August 24) to put the ban into place. It said that civil action would be taken if they didn’t follow the rules.

    Read also: Kenyans turns down request to ban TikTok

    This order is meant to stop TikTok and Telegram from spreading more offensive and extremist material. Since Somalia is a religious country, the government wants to stop TikTok from sharing information that is against the law.

    Al-Shabab is a terrorist group that is supported by Al-Qaeda. Because of this, the East African country banned Telegram. The government said that the terrorist group used Telegram to make films, send out news releases, and interview commanders. 

    By stopping Telegram, the Somalian government hopes to win the long-running war.

    Gambling is forbidden in Somalia; hence, 1XBet was banned. Casinos, lotteries, and sports betting are gambling under Sharia law.

    The ban has garnered acclaim and criticism from X users. @Saido0319 and @abass_harmonic tweeted, Mashallah, that is a fantastic step forward” and “Good move!” At the highest level of tyranny, @CabdifataaxMax criticized the command. Without prohibiting these networks, you can restrict or monitor all indecent or immoral activities.”

    Two tech giants back TikTok legal tussle with Montana State

    Somalia joins Africa in internet and social media restrictions.

    Access to social media has been limited by many African countries at different times and for different reasons. In Senegal, the government said it was to stop the rival party PASTEF (Patriotes Africains du Sénégal Pour le Travail, l’Éthique, et la Fraternité) from spreading propaganda.

    In Guinea, the order to shut down the internet was also political. It was done to stop a protest against the government. On March 6, after a jailbreak, the Mauritanian government cut off access to the internet.

    Like Somalia, the leaders of the above countries have been criticized a lot for their choices. Access to social media is something that the UN says is a human right. And even though limiting access to social media might be a good idea, it has many negative effects.

    One of these is the economy. Due to the large number of users, which means possible customers, many businesses run on social media. When something goes wrong, businesses and the market both lose money. Take Nigeria, where the shutdown of Twitter cost the country $546,500,000,000.

  • Telegram introduces stories, for Premium subscribers

    Telegram introduces stories, for Premium subscribers

    The popular messaging software Telegram recently revealed that it has been developing a new Stories feature that functions in a manner consistent with expectations.

    Telegram’s CEO Pavel Durov said that the new feature will be rolled out to users in July. Users may now share Stories on Telegram; however, for the time being, the feature is only available to those who have a Premium subscription.

    According to Durov, the Stories feature was one of the most demanded by Telegram users, despite the fact that the Telegram team was originally opposed to the notion. “Even our team’s sceptics have come around to really like this new feature. Last month, he stated, “We can no longer imagine Telegram without it.

    Read also: Chapa partners with Telegram to enable digital payments in Ethiopia

    However, when Telegram will make Stories available to non-Premium users remains unknown.

    Telegram Stories are now accessible, but only to certain users.

    Users may send each other photos and videos that automatically delete after a certain amount of time using Telegram Stories. In contrast to its rivals, Telegram is expanding its capabilities. Users may choose the time limit for how long a Story will be active, from 6 to 48 hours. Most applications have a 24-hour time limit on their Stories feature.

    Additionally, you have the option of including links and descriptions with your Stories. You may also include tags for other users in your Stories. In addition, you may use both the front and back cameras at the same time to snap photos and record videos in a BeReal-like style.

    You can choose who sees your posted stories

    For each Telegram Story, users may create their own list of connections. You may tailor one Story for your close friends and another for your workplace. A list of available Stories appears at the top of the list of conversations, much like the design of other applications that currently provide Stories.

    Also, like Instagram and Snapchat’s Stories feature, you can respond to and like another user’s story by sending them reactions and comments. If you choose not to see a contact’s Stories in your main feed, you may hide them by putting them in the “Hidden” list on the Contacts tab.

    Telegram hacks target wealthy crypto funds

    Telegram Stories are viewable by all users, but only Premium subscribers can post content. When non-Premium users attempt to create a new Story, they are informed that “Posting stories is currently available only to subscribers.” The question of whether or not everyone will have to pay to use the Stories feature remains unanswered.

    Download the most recent version of the Telegram app from the App Store to make use of the Stories feature. While Telegram itself is free, upgrading to Premium in order to have access to additional features (such as the ability to post Stories) will cost you back $4.99 monthly. Discounts are available for online subscriptions.

  • Chapa partners with Telegram to enable digital payments in Ethiopia

    Chapa partners with Telegram to enable digital payments in Ethiopia

    Chapa, a payment solution provider in Ethiopia, recently announced a partnership with Telegram with the goal of enabling merchants who use Telegram to accept consumer payments in a smooth manner. This cooperation is intended to promote financial inclusion and digital payments in Ethiopia.

    The integration of Chapa with the bot ecosystem offered by Telegram makes it possible for merchants to collect payments without requiring their clients to exit the app. Chapa makes it possible for users to make payments instantaneously, increasing ease and accessibility. Payments can be made via mobile money, bank transfers, or debit or credit cards.

    By utilizing Telegram’s open platform and the many application programming interfaces (APIs), bot developers are able to easily incorporate Bot Payments into any e-commerce site. This connection makes it possible for merchants to accept payments on any platform that is powered by a bot, which opens up a world of fascinating new prospects for them.

    This cooperation with Telegram brings us one step closer to realising Chapa’s purpose of enabling Ethiopian businesses to expand their reach in the global market. Chapa’s mission is to enable Ethiopian businesses to expand their reach in the global market. By providing users with a seamless experience that combines texting and payments, we are revolutionising the way in which users connect with businesses.

    The possibilities are practically limitless now that Telegram has integrated money processing into its messaging platform. Chapa and Telegram are thrilled to offer this life-changing experience to Ethiopian users, which will improve the users’ day-to-day lives and open up new doors for professional development.

    Read also: Flutterwave Adds eNaira as a Payment Option for Merchants

    Remarks from Chapa

    “We are honoured to represent Ethiopia on the international stage as the exclusive Telegram payment provider in Africa,” said Israel Goytom, CTO and Co-founder of Chapa. “This noteworthy accomplishment speaks to the progress of our emerging fintech sector and reaffirms our commitment to drive financial technology advancements within the region.”

    About Chapa

    Chapa is an online payment gateway that gives both large and small merchants the ability to collect payments from clients either online or offline by utilising our application programming interfaces (APIs). The primary mission of the company is to provide secure solutions to payment-related issues faced by forward-thinking enterprises and government organisations located in underdeveloped nations, with a primary concentration on Ethiopia. Payment Gateway Solutions and Bill Aggregator are two of the service categories that Chapa provides for its customers.

    By providing services such as Payment Gateways, Payment Applications and Equipment, APIs, and a great deal more, Chapa gives companies and developers that are on the rise the ability to become more successful.

    Simply clicking the “Sign Up for Free” button, you will be able to establish a Chapa account. The next step is to click the “Verify Now” button after entering your full name, your business name, and your password.

    Complete the Know Your Customer (KYC) form by entering your information and uploading any relevant company papers. Then, click the “Submit for review” button to send the form in for evaluation.

    How SHiip is Powering Hassle-FREE Shipping for African Merchants

    Concerning the Telegram

    Telegram Messenger is an instant messaging service that is free to use, encrypted, hosted in the cloud, and centralised. It is available all over the world. The application also supports end-to-end encrypted chats and video calls as an optional extra feature, in addition to VoIP, file sharing, and a few other services. 

    You are able to transmit messages, photographs, videos, and files of any type (doc, zip, mp3, etc.) using Telegram. Additionally, you are able to create groups with a maximum of 200,000 members or channels that can broadcast to an endless number of viewers. You can send messages to the people on your phone’s contact list, and you can look people up by their usernames.

    At first appearance, WhatsApp and Telegram appear to be rather comparable to one another. Both applications provide users with a comparable selection of functions, with only a few minute distinctions between them. End-to-end encryption is available by default in WhatsApp, however, users of Telegram must first create a private chat in order to utilise this function, and end-to-end encryption cannot be used in group conversations on Telegram.

    The creation of Telegram communities (channels and groups) and the subsequent online monetization of those communities is commonplace across the globe. The most profitable company in Telegram brings in as much as $10,000 each and every month!