Telegram Premium has now surpassed 10 million subscribers, as announced by CEO Pavel Durov on his channel on Friday (6th). Along with this milestone, Durov introduced several updates to the platform, including removing the “People Nearby” feature and adding a Stars draw for channels.
Telegram Premium, launched in June 2022, has been a key focus over the past two years. The subscription service offers users exclusive features such as faster downloads and special stickers.
In his announcement, Durov also highlighted the removal of the “People Nearby” feature, which allowed users to see nearby contacts based on location. Durov said less than 0.01% of users utilized this feature, which had become problematic due to issues with bots and scammers.
In addition to this, Telegram is introducing a new tool called “Nearby Businesses,” which will help users discover local stores and commercial establishments on the platform. The feature will also display product catalogs and payment options for easier shopping.
Moderation on Telegram
Pavel Durov also addressed recent efforts to improve Telegram’s moderation policies. One key change involves suspending the ability to upload media to the platform’s internal blog, Telegraph, after misuse by “anonymous actors.”
Durov emphasized that while the vast majority of Telegram’s users—99.999%—are not involved in illegal activities, the small fraction (0.001%) engaged in illicit behavior tarnishes the platform’s reputation and risks the interests of its nearly one billion users. He stated, “This year, we are committed to transforming Telegram’s moderation from an area of criticism to praise.”
This week, Telegram also updated its policies to moderate private conversations when complaints are made, aiming to prevent the platform from being exploited for illegal activities.
In a Thursday (5th) statement, Durov defended Telegram against criticisms, saying the platform is not an “anarchic paradise.” He reaffirmed his “personal objective” of improving safeguards to prevent service misuse.
Other news
On Friday (6th), Telegram unveiled several new features to enhance user engagement and platform performance. One notable addition is the option to host Star raffles within channels. Stars are a form of virtual currency that can be used to access paid media and exclusive subscriptions. This feature is designed to boost interaction within Telegram’s communities.
The built-in browser has also been updated to include a speed reading function. This new feature enables users to read website content in a distraction-free, clean interface. Other updates focus on optimizing overall application performance for a smoother user experience.
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