Telegram, the popular messaging app, recently announced that it has reached 10 million paid subscribers for its premium service, Telegram Premium. The company also revealed a series of updates aimed at enhancing user experience and bolstering security.
“Businesses Nearby” Replaces “People Nearby”
Among the new features is “Businesses Nearby,” which will spotlight verified local businesses, allowing them to present product catalogs and facilitate seamless payments directly within the platform. This initiative replaces the “People Nearby” feature, which the company says was underutilized and prone to misuse by bots and scammers.
In addition, Telegram has restricted new media uploads to its independent blogging tool, Telegraph, due to reported misuse by anonymous individuals.
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov emphasized the company’s dedication to transforming moderation on the platform into a strength rather than a weakness. He acknowledged that a small fraction of users involved in illicit activities can negatively impact the platform’s image and jeopardize the interests of its vast user base.
