Telegram is a popular messaging app with over 700 million monthly active users. It is known for its focus on security, privacy, and speed. But who is the owner of Telegram?
Telegram was founded in 2013 by brothers Nikolai and Pavel Durov. The Durov brothers are Russian entrepreneurs who previously founded the social networking site VK. They left Russia in 2014 after a falling out with the government and have since been living in exile.
Who is the owner of Telegram?
Here are 9 important points about the ownership of Telegram:
- Founded in 2013
- Brothers Nikolai and Pavel Durov
- Russian entrepreneurs
- Previously founded VK
- Left Russia in 2014
- Falling out with government
- Living in exile
- Self-funded
- Non-profit organization
Telegram is a privately owned company, and its ownership structure is relatively simple. The company is controlled by its two founders, Nikolai and Pavel Durov. They own the majority of Telegram's shares and have complete control over the company's operations.
Founded in 2013
Telegram was founded in 2013 by brothers Nikolai and Pavel Durov.
- Brothers Nikolai and Pavel Durov
The Durov brothers are Russian entrepreneurs who previously founded the social networking site VK, the largest social network in Russia and Eastern Europe.
- Dissatisfaction with VK
The Durov brothers were unhappy with the direction that VK was heading in, particularly the increasing censorship and government interference. They decided to leave Russia and start a new messaging app that would be free from government control.
- Inspiration from WhatsApp
The Durov brothers were inspired by the success of WhatsApp, a messaging app that had recently been acquired by Facebook for $19 billion. They believed that they could create a better messaging app that was more secure and private than WhatsApp.
- Launch of Telegram
Telegram was launched in August 2013 and quickly gained popularity among users who were looking for a secure and private alternative to WhatsApp. The app has continued to grow in popularity in recent years and now has over 700 million monthly active users.
Telegram is a self-funded company, and the Durov brothers have never taken any outside investment. This gives them complete control over the company and allows them to operate without interference from investors or shareholders.
Brothers Nikolai and Pavel Durov
Nikolai and Pavel Durov are two of the most successful entrepreneurs in Russia. They are best known for founding the social networking site VK and the messaging app Telegram. The Durov brothers are known for their libertarian views and their commitment to privacy and freedom of expression.
Nikolai Durov is the older brother and is a mathematician and programmer. He graduated from Moscow State University with a degree in mathematics and computer science. After graduating, he worked as a programmer for several companies before co-founding VK with his brother in 2006.
Pavel Durov is the younger brother and is a businessman and philanthropist. He graduated from Saint Petersburg State University with a degree in philology. After graduating, he worked as a marketing manager for several companies before co-founding VK with his brother in 2006. Pavel Durov is known for his outspokenness and his willingness to challenge the Russian government.
In 2014, the Durov brothers left Russia after a falling out with the government. They have since been living in exile and have continued to work on Telegram. Telegram is a popular messaging app that is known for its security and privacy features. The app has over 700 million monthly active users and is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world.
The Durov brothers are controversial figures, but they are also respected for their entrepreneurial skills and their commitment to privacy and freedom of expression. They are two of the most important figures in the tech industry and their work has had a major impact on the way that people communicate online.
Russian entrepreneurs
Nikolai and Pavel Durov are Russian entrepreneurs who have founded two of the most popular social media platforms in the world: VK and Telegram.
- VK
VK is the largest social network in Russia and Eastern Europe. It was founded in 2006 by Nikolai and Pavel Durov. VK has over 100 million monthly active users and is one of the most popular social networks in the world.
- Telegram
Telegram is a messaging app that is known for its security and privacy features. It was founded in 2013 by Nikolai and Pavel Durov. Telegram has over 700 million monthly active users and is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world.
- Commitment to innovation
The Durov brothers are known for their commitment to innovation. They are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible with social media and messaging apps. For example, Telegram was one of the first messaging apps to offer end-to-end encryption, which protects users' messages from being intercepted by third parties.
- Challenges faced
As Russian entrepreneurs, the Durov brothers have faced a number of challenges. In particular, they have been targeted by the Russian government for their outspoken views and their refusal to cooperate with the government's censorship demands. In 2014, the Durov brothers were forced to leave Russia after a falling out with the government.
Despite the challenges they have faced, the Durov brothers have continued to be successful entrepreneurs. They are two of the most important figures in the tech industry and their work has had a major impact on the way that people communicate online.
Previously founded VK
Before founding Telegram, Nikolai and Pavel Durov founded VK, the largest social network in Russia and Eastern Europe.
- Launched in 2006
VK was launched in 2006 and quickly became the most popular social network in Russia. It has over 100 million monthly active users and is one of the most popular social networks in the world.
- Inspired by Facebook
VK was inspired by Facebook, which was launched in 2004. However, VK has a number of unique features that make it more popular in Russia than Facebook. For example, VK allows users to share music and videos more easily.
- Challenges with the Russian government
The Durov brothers faced a number of challenges while running VK. In particular, they were targeted by the Russian government for their refusal to cooperate with the government's censorship demands. In 2014, the Durov brothers were forced to sell their stake in VK and leave Russia.
- Experience gained from VK
The Durov brothers gained a lot of experience from running VK. This experience helped them when they founded Telegram. For example, they learned how to build a social media platform that is popular with users and how to deal with the challenges of running a large online platform.
The Durov brothers' experience with VK was invaluable when they founded Telegram. They were able to use their knowledge and experience to create a messaging app that is secure, private, and easy to use. Telegram has quickly become one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, and it is used by millions of people around the globe.
Left Russia in 2014
In 2014, the Durov brothers were forced to leave Russia after a falling out with the government.
The Durov brothers had been critical of the Russian government for a number of years. In particular, they refused to comply with the government's demands to censor content on VK. In 2013, the Russian government passed a law that required all social media companies to store user data in Russia. The Durov brothers refused to comply with this law, arguing that it would compromise the privacy of their users. As a result, the Russian government blocked access to VK in Russia.
In April 2014, the Durov brothers were forced to sell their stake in VK to a company with close ties to the Russian government. The Durov brothers then left Russia and went into exile.
The Durov brothers' decision to leave Russia was a difficult one. They had built VK into one of the most popular social networks in the world and they had a large following in Russia. However, they felt that they could no longer operate VK in Russia without compromising the privacy of their users. The Durov brothers' decision to leave Russia was a principled stand against government censorship and surveillance.
Since leaving Russia, the Durov brothers have continued to work on Telegram. Telegram is a messaging app that is known for its security and privacy features. Telegram has quickly become one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, and it is used by millions of people around the globe.
Falling out with government
The Durov brothers' falling out with the Russian government began in 2011, when the government demanded that VK hand over the personal data of users who were involved in anti-government protests. The Durov brothers refused, arguing that it would violate the privacy of their users.
In 2013, the Russian government passed a law that required all social media companies to store user data in Russia. The Durov brothers again refused to comply, arguing that it would compromise the security of their users' data. The Russian government then blocked access to VK in Russia.
In April 2014, the Durov brothers were forced to sell their stake in VK to a company with close ties to the Russian government. The Durov brothers then left Russia and went into exile.
The Durov brothers' falling out with the Russian government was a result of their commitment to privacy and freedom of expression. They refused to cooperate with the government's censorship and surveillance demands, even though it meant that they had to leave their country and give up their business.
The Durov brothers' decision to stand up to the Russian government was a principled one. They sent a clear message that they would not compromise the privacy and freedom of their users, even under pressure from a powerful government.
Living in exile
Since leaving Russia in 2014, the Durov brothers have been living in exile.
- Uncertainty about their whereabouts
The Durov brothers have been very secretive about their whereabouts since leaving Russia. They have not disclosed their location and they rarely give interviews. This has led to a lot of speculation about where they are living.
- Possible locations
There have been reports that the Durov brothers have been living in a number of different countries, including Germany, France, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates. However, it is not clear where they are currently living.
- Focus on Telegram
Despite their uncertain living situation, the Durov brothers have continued to focus on Telegram. They have released a number of new features for the app and they have grown the user base to over 700 million monthly active users.
- Commitment to privacy and freedom of expression
The Durov brothers have said that they will continue to live in exile as long as it is necessary to protect their privacy and the freedom of their users. They have also said that they will continue to fight against government censorship and surveillance.
The Durov brothers' decision to live in exile is a testament to their commitment to privacy and freedom of expression. They are willing to sacrifice their own personal comfort and safety in order to protect the rights of their users.
Self-funded
Telegram is a self-funded company. The Durov brothers have never taken any outside investment.
- Complete control
Self-funding gives the Durov brothers complete control over Telegram. They are not beholden to any investors or shareholders, which allows them to operate the company as they see fit.
- Freedom to innovate
Self-funding also gives the Durov brothers the freedom to innovate. They can experiment with new features and take risks without having to worry about pleasing investors.
- Long-term vision
Self-funding allows the Durov brothers to focus on the long-term vision for Telegram. They do not have to worry about short-term profits or meeting the demands of investors. This allows them to make decisions that are in the best interests of the company and its users.
- Commitment to privacy
The Durov brothers' decision to self-fund Telegram is a testament to their commitment to privacy. They do not want to be beholden to any investors or shareholders who might pressure them to compromise the privacy of their users.
Self-funding is a risky strategy, but it has paid off for the Durov brothers. Telegram is now one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, and it is used by millions of people around the globe. The Durov brothers' decision to self-fund Telegram has allowed them to create a truly independent and secure messaging app.
Non-profit organization
In June 2021, the Durov brothers announced that Telegram would become a non-profit organization. This means that Telegram will no longer be able to generate profits. Any revenue that Telegram generates will be reinvested back into the company.
The Durov brothers said that they made this decision in order to ensure that Telegram remains independent and user-focused. They do not want Telegram to be beholden to the profit motive, which they believe could compromise the company's values and mission.
The decision to become a non-profit organization is a significant one for Telegram. It is a clear signal that the Durov brothers are committed to building a sustainable and independent messaging platform that is not driven by profit.
There are a number of benefits to becoming a non-profit organization. First, it will allow Telegram to focus on its mission of providing a secure and private messaging service without having to worry about generating profits. Second, it will make Telegram more attractive to users who are concerned about the privacy of their data. Third, it will allow Telegram to access a wider range of funding sources, such as grants and donations.
The decision to become a non-profit organization is a bold one, but it is one that is consistent with the Durov brothers' values and mission. They are committed to building a messaging platform that is independent, secure, and private. By becoming a non-profit organization, Telegram will be able to continue to operate without being beholden to the profit motive.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the ownership of Telegram:
Question 1: Who owns Telegram?
Answer: Telegram is owned by Nikolai and Pavel Durov, two Russian entrepreneurs.
Question 2: How did the Durov brothers start Telegram?
Answer: The Durov brothers started Telegram in 2013 after they left Russia following a falling out with the government.
Question 3: Why did the Durov brothers leave Russia?
Answer: The Durov brothers left Russia because they refused to cooperate with the government's censorship and surveillance demands.
Question 4: Where do the Durov brothers live now?
Answer: The Durov brothers' whereabouts are unknown. They have been living in exile since leaving Russia in 2014.
Question 5: Is Telegram a profitable company?
Answer: Telegram is not a profitable company. It is a self-funded non-profit organization.
Question 6: What are the Durov brothers' plans for Telegram?
Answer: The Durov brothers plan to continue developing Telegram and making it the most secure and private messaging app in the world.
Question 7: How can I contact the Durov brothers?
Answer: The Durov brothers are very private people and they do not have any public contact information.
Closing Paragraph for FAQ:
These are just some of the most frequently asked questions about the ownership of Telegram. If you have any other questions, please feel free to do some research online or contact Telegram's customer support team.
Now that you know more about who owns Telegram, you can learn more about how to use the app and its features.
Tips
Here are some tips for learning more about the ownership of Telegram and how the app works:
Tip 1: Read the Telegram FAQ
The Telegram FAQ is a great resource for learning more about the app, its features, and its ownership. The FAQ is available on Telegram's website.
Tip 2: Follow Telegram on social media
Telegram is active on social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. Following Telegram on social media is a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest news and developments related to the app.
Tip 3: Contact Telegram's customer support team
If you have any questions or concerns about Telegram, you can contact the app's customer support team. The customer support team is available 24/7 and they are always happy to help.
Tip 4: Do your own research
There are a lot of resources available online about Telegram. You can do your own research to learn more about the app, its features, and its ownership. Just be sure to use reputable sources of information.
Closing Paragraph for Tips:
These are just a few tips for learning more about the ownership of Telegram. By following these tips, you can learn more about the app and how it works.
Now that you know more about who owns Telegram and how to learn more about the app, you can start using Telegram to communicate with your friends and family.
Conclusion
In this article, we have learned about the ownership of Telegram. We have learned that Telegram is owned by Nikolai and Pavel Durov, two Russian entrepreneurs who founded the social networking site VK. We have also learned that the Durov brothers left Russia in 2014 after a falling out with the government, and that they have been living in exile ever since.
Telegram is a self-funded non-profit organization, which means that it is not beholden to any investors or shareholders. This gives the Durov brothers complete control over the company and allows them to operate it as they see fit. The Durov brothers are committed to building a secure and private messaging platform that is not driven by profit.
Telegram is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 700 million monthly active users. It is known for its security, privacy, and speed. Telegram is a valuable tool for people who want to communicate securely and privately.
Closing Message:
We hope that this article has helped you learn more about the ownership of Telegram. If you have any further questions, please feel free to do some research online or contact Telegram's customer support team.