Telegram CEO Declares WhatsApp a Cheap Copycat

Telegram CEO Declares WhatsApp a Cheap Copycat — Pavel Durov, CEO and co-founder of Telegram, has again lashed out at competitor messaging app WhatsApp this time labeling it a "cheap copycat." In a defiant move, Durov charged WhatsApp with consistently copying features from Telegram without bringing actual innovation. He also reaffirmed longstanding assertions regarding WhatsApp's security vulnerabilities, which he claims compromise users' data.

$50,000 Reward to Reveal WhatsApp's Copycat Features

To substantiate his claims, Durov has announced a $50,000 competition (approximately ₹2.72 lakh) with the aim of exposing WhatsApp's so-called imitation publicly. Users of the Telegram service across the globe are encouraged to come up with concise, catchy videos showing the ways in which WhatsApp has imitated features from Telegram. In Durov's opinion, the purpose is to make WhatsApp users aware and bring attention to Telegram's position as a technology leader in messaging.

Official Contest Guidelines

Telegram has issued a straightforward list of rules to regulate the bounty contest:

Eligibility: Worldwide open to everyone.

Video Format: Short-form, TikTok-style clips up to 180 seconds in length.

Language: Must be in English in order to provide wider reach.

Creative Freedom: AI can be used to enhance entries.

Reference Material: Telegram has issued a list of 30 features which it says WhatsApp imitated—though Durov insists this is only a "partial list."

Deadline: All submissions should be received by May 26, 2025.

Winners Announced: Telegram will announce the winners in June 2025.

A Long Running Rivalry: Telegram vs. WhatsApp

This battle is another milestone in the long conflict between the two messaging giants. Telegram has been touting itself as a privacy-centered, innovation-oriented platform all along, while WhatsApp has been criticized for years for security issues and potential user data privacy concerns. Durov previously charged WhatsApp with launching smear campaigns to discredit Telegram.

Security Issues and Backdoor Claims

In 2022, Durov made news by asserting that WhatsApp had intentional backdoors in it, which he claimed had the potential to undermine the security of not only WhatsApp but all apps on a user's phone. He advised users:

"If you have WhatsApp installed, all your data from every app is accessible."

He also urged users to stay away entirely from WhatsApp based on what he perceives to be deep-seated and unsolved security vulnerabilities.

Political Pressure and Free Speech Concerns

Durov also revealed that Telegram received political pressure from a Western European government, allegedly France, to silence conservative voices in Romania prior to its presidential elections. Durov said he did not oblige, reiterating Telegram's adherence to free expression and opposition to government censorship. This event highlights Telegram's position as a messaging app that will defend user rights even when under political pressure.

What This Means for the Messaging Landscape

• Durov's recent action puts the spotlight further on:

• Accelerating tensions between innovation and copying in technology.

• Continued data protection and security concerns, especially with WhatsApp.

• Government interference and censorship concerns in online communication.

• Whether Telegram will be able to continue to acquire momentum as a serious alternative to WhatsApp.

This much-publicized battle can be expected to further stimulate debate among users, developers, and policymakers—potentially altering public attitudes and affecting the direction of secure messaging apps in the future.

OVERVIEW

Telegram CEO Brands WhatsApp as a Cheaper Imitator — Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has once again lashed out at WhatsApp, blaming it for imitating Telegram's features without actual innovation. To emphasize this, he organized an international $50,000 video contest challenging users to reveal these copies in a creative manner. Telegram gave a list of 30 features it asserts WhatsApp has plagiarized and established a deadline for submission as May 26, 2025. Durov also reiterated security fears, alerting users to WhatsApp's supposed backdoors that would breach all device information. He further asserted Telegram defied political pressure to censor users, highlighting the platform's dedication to free speech. This new conflict reinforces concerns over tech novelty, user privacy, and online rights—further cementing Telegram's reputation as a safe and censorship-proof option.

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