How Telegram Data Is Stored on Servers

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Telegram's data storage architecture is a crucial aspect of its security and functionality, enabling its "cloud-based" messaging experience across multiple devices. Understanding how your data is stored on Telegram's servers involves distinguishing between different chat types and the encryption protocols applied to them.

At its core, Telegram operates on a distributed telegram data server infrastructure, with data centers spread globally. This decentralization is intended to enhance resilience against localized censorship or legal pressures. While the exact locations and specific configurations of these servers are proprietary, Telegram has stated that it employs a complex corporate structure with shell companies in various jurisdictions to help protect data not covered by end-to-end encryption. The company aims to store encryption keys in separate data centers from the actual user data, theoretically making it harder for local engineers or physical intruders to gain full access.

The most important distinction in Telegram's data storage lies in its chat types:

Cloud Chats (Default Chats, Groups, Channels):

Storage: The vast majority of messages, photos, videos, and documents sent in regular one-on-one chats, group chats, and channels are stored on Telegram's servers. This is what allows users to seamlessly access their entire chat history from any device they log into, without relying on third-party backups.
Encryption: For these "cloud chats," Telegram uses its custom-built encryption protocol called MTProto. This protocol provides client-server/server-client encryption. This means that messages are encrypted when they leave your device, remain encrypted while in transit to Telegram's servers, and are also encrypted while stored on those servers. However, Telegram itself holds the encryption keys for these chats. In essence, while the data is heavily encrypted, Telegram theoretically possesses the ability to decrypt the content if compelled to do so by legal authorities or if its servers were compromised. They assert that the encryption keys are stored in different jurisdictions than the data itself to prevent this.
Metadata: Beyond message content, Telegram also stores metadata associated with cloud chats. This includes information like sender and recipient IDs, timestamps of messages, IP addresses, device information, and phone numbers used for account registration. While Telegram states it only stores data necessary for its services to function, the duration of metadata retention is not always explicitly detailed, though some metadata may persist for a period even after account deletion.
Secret Chats (End-to-End Encrypted Chats):

Storage: Messages sent in "Secret Chats" are not stored on Telegram's servers. These chats are designed for true end-to-end encryption (E2EE), meaning the encryption keys are generated and stored exclusively on the participating users' devices. Neither Telegram nor any third party can access the content of these messages.
Encryption: Secret Chats employ the MTProto protocol with end-to-end encryption. This ensures that only the sender and recipient can read the messages. If a device is lost or logged out of, the Secret Chat history on that device is permanently lost, as it's not backed up to Telegram's cloud.
Ephemeral Nature: Secret Chats also include features like self-destructing messages and screenshot prevention, further emphasizing their ephemeral and private nature.
In summary, Telegram's approach to data storage prioritizes convenience and multi-device access for cloud chats by storing them encrypted on its servers, while offering a separate, more private option for "Secret Chats" that are end-to-end encrypted and stored only on devices. Users in 2025 should remain cognizant of these distinctions when considering the privacy and security implications of their communications on the platform.