TechCrunch reports that Telegram has been discovered to continue exposing users' IP addresses to contacts during phone calls despite being touted as a secure and private messaging app.
"Telegram focuses on security and privacy, however, in order to stay safe you need to be aware of the nuances of how the messenger's voice calls work. An unprepared person can easily reveal his IP address to his interlocutor if he does not know about them," said security researcher Denis Simonov, also known as n0a, of the cybersecurity firm T.Secure, who developed a tool exploiting the issue.
Meanwhile, Telegram spokesperson Remi Vaughn noted that IP addresses are exposed by default due to the platform's use of a peer-to-peer connection to ensure call quality.
"The downside of this is that it necessitates that both sides know the IP address of the other (since it is a direct connection). Unlike on other messengers, calls from those who are not on your contact list will be routed through Telegram's servers to obscure that," said Vaughn.
Telegram users looking to prevent continued IP address exposure have been advised to change their privacy and security settings.
