Telegram Introduces Third-Party Verification to Combat Scams

Telegram has rolled out a third-party verification system, allowing approved services to independently verify user accounts and chats. This feature aims to enhance transparency, reduce misinformation, and prevent scams, setting a new standard for safety on social media platforms.

Telegram’s new verification system allows external, officially approved services to assign distinct verification badges to user accounts and chats. Unlike Telegram’s existing verified checkmark for public figures and organizations, third-party verification provides additional layers of confirmation. Verified accounts will display a unique icon next to their name, with details explaining the status visible in their profiles.

To qualify as a third-party verifier, organizations must first gain Telegram’s verification through their @VerifyBot. This process involves meeting specific criteria, such as demonstrating public notability and providing verified accounts or links on prominent platforms like Instagram or Twitter. Once approved, third-party verifiers can use their bots to assign verification icons to other accounts or chats.

Telegram’s move to decentralize verification is a response to growing concerns over impersonation, scams, and the spread of false information. The communications platform, which boasts over 700 million monthly active users, has become a preferred medium for private and secure communications. However, its popularity has also made it a target for malicious actors exploiting its vast user base. By enabling multiple layers of independent verification, Telegram aims to make it easier for users to identify legitimate accounts and services.

What Telegram users should know

Users encountering third-party verified accounts can trust that these have undergone a stringent validation process. However, Telegram emphasizes that this new verification does not replace its official checkmark system but rather works alongside it as a complementary layer. A simple tap on a verified account’s profile will reveal information about its verification status and the verifying entity.

To stay safe on Telegram:

• Look for verification badges, whether official or third-party, when interacting with public accounts or services.
• Verify the identity of accounts by checking their profiles for verification details.
• Report suspicious or unverified accounts posing as legitimate entities.

With third-party verification now live, Telegram is empowering users to navigate its ecosystem with greater confidence, but whether the system is foolproof remains to be seen. Determined scammers and misinformation campaign orchestrators are bound to explore various bypassing methods, so users should exercise caution on every chat and interaction regardless of its verification status.