Telegram update brings disappearing messages, faster downloads

Telegram, a messaging platform that focuses on security and speed, has just launched a major update. Labelled Telegram 4.2, the update brings in more speed, security and other improvements to their image processing and photo editing functionality.

The app has streamlined its photo editing function and says it has reduced the number of taps it takes to modify and upload pictures. The new sticker keyboard can also be enlarged when needed.

Another function that has been introduced is the self destruct timer for photographs and video clips sent through private chats. This function was previously available only in the secret chat function. The sender can pick and choose which pictures and videos need to be deleted after one viewing. Once the receiver opens the message, a countdown timer starts and the selected video or image gets deleted permanently when the time is up.

The user defines which files need to self destruct and how long it would appear on screen before getting deleted. The sender will be notified immediately if the recipient takes a screenshot of the image,

The new release has also added a personal bio option, so users can create a profile that describes them in a few words. Telegram claims it would be useful for those who are part of large groups. The app allows groups with as many as 10,000 members as well as options for broadcasting.

The 4.2 update also claims to have made a big bump up in terms of speed and performance as well as security. Content Delivery Network (CDN) caching has been introduced to increase speed of access for data like photographs and video. CDN will make such data files travel less by caching them in third party nodes and making them available to all those who might need it, Telegram says.

All user data will pass through third party nodes, but will receive only packets of encrypted information, so they cannot be viewed at the nodes, only by the senders and receivers. The company claims that even if the nodes get hacked, there will be no way for it to be decrypted as the master keys exist only with the sender and receiver of the messages.

Telegram is known to be completely open about its privacy policy and claims to have never handed any data out to anyone. "To this day, we have disclosed 0 bytes of user data to third parties, including governments," its website claims. The secret chats function is so private that even the company will not be able to access it, Telegram says.

The app is available to download for iOS and Android smartphones.