When a major event happens-like a shooting, an earthquake, or an election upset-Telegram explodes with updates. Within minutes, videos, screenshots, and claims flood channels with titles like "BREAKING: Police shot protesters!" or "Official source confirms evacuation!" Many of these are false. And because of how Telegram works, they spread faster than truth ever can.
You might think you’re just sharing news. But if you forward a video without checking, you’re not helping. You’re amplifying a lie. And in places like Ukraine, India, or Slovakia, that has real consequences-riots, panic, even deaths.
Why Telegram Is the Worst Platform for Breaking News
Telegram isn’t designed for truth. It’s designed for speed and secrecy. That’s great for activists and journalists under repression. But it’s a disaster when rumors fly.
Unlike Twitter, where you see how many people retweeted something, Telegram hides everything. You don’t know who sent the message first. You don’t see how many times it’s been forwarded. You just get a message that says " forwarded from [channel name]"-and if that channel has 100,000 subscribers, you assume it’s real.
Here’s the math: On WhatsApp, you can forward a message to 5 people at once. On Telegram? 100. And those 100 can each forward it to 100 more. In under an hour, a single fake video can reach millions. A 2023 study found that false news on Telegram reaches 35% of potential viewers within six hours. On Twitter, it takes days.
And there’s no check. No fact-check labels. No "Community Notes" like on X (formerly Twitter). Telegram doesn’t even show you if the sender is verified. So when a channel called "Ukraine Emergency Alert" posts a video of explosions, you don’t know if it’s the real government, a bot farm in Moscow, or some guy in Odessa using a fake name.
How Rumors Spread: The Hidden Mechanics
It’s not just about forwarding. It’s about structure.
Telegram has two types of spaces: public channels and private groups. Public channels broadcast to up to 200,000 people. Private groups? There are over 15,000 unmoderated ones in India alone-many in Hindi, Bengali, Tamil-where no one speaks English and no fact-checker ever goes.
These private groups are where rumors live. Someone posts a blurry photo of a fire. Someone else says, "That’s the Parliament burning." Someone else replies, "I heard the PM resigned." Then someone forwards it to 100 friends. Those 100 forward it to 100 more. Within hours, it’s everywhere.
And because Telegram doesn’t track shares or show engagement metrics, people feel safe. They think, "No one will know I sent this." That’s the illusion. In reality, your message is now part of a chain that could reach 10 million people.
A 2025 study in Nature Scientific Reports found that just 37 core Telegram channels were responsible for 68% of all viral rumors during the 2024 Indian elections. These weren’t random users. They were coordinated networks-some linked to foreign actors, some just profit-driven click farms.
Real Damage: When a Lie Becomes a Riot
In April 2024, a video surfaced on Telegram showing masked men attacking a polling station in Delhi. It went viral. 4.2 million forwards in 18 hours. People believed it. They took to the streets. By the time fact-checkers proved it was from a 2022 protest in Bangladesh, three people were injured and a shop was burned down.
Same thing happened in Slovakia after Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot in May 2024. Within minutes, Telegram channels flooded with claims that it was a CIA operation. Some said the PM was dead. Others said it was staged. Slovak police spent days debunking it. But by then, thousands had already shared it. The government later admitted: 52% of citizens checked Telegram before official news sources.
This isn’t rare. It’s standard. In Myanmar, Telegram channels were used to spread false evidence of Rohingya attacks-helping the military justify violence. In Ukraine, fake videos of Russian troops committing atrocities were shared to fuel hatred. And every time, the same pattern: no verification. No source. Just fear.
The 3-2-1 Rule: How to Stop Spreading Lies
You don’t have to be a journalist to stop this. You just need three habits.
- Check 3 sources-Before sharing, look for the same claim on at least three independent outlets. If only Telegram has it? It’s likely fake. Reuters, AP, BBC, local news-these are your anchors.
- Wait 2 minutes-Your brain wants to react. Pause. Breathe. Open a browser. Google the headline. Type in key phrases from the video. You’ll often find it’s been debunked already.
- Confirm 1 official source-Did a government agency, police department, or verified news organization confirm it? If not, don’t share. Even if it looks real.
This isn’t theory. Reuters’ fact-checking team uses this rule. So do journalists in Ukraine and India. And it works. One Indian fact-checker told me: "I used to share everything. Now I wait. I’ve stopped at least 200 false stories this year. I didn’t save the world-but I saved someone’s panic."
Tools That Actually Help
You don’t need to be tech-savvy. But a few simple tools can save you hours.
- @SMMBot-A Telegram bot that reverse-searches images. Upload a photo, and it finds where else it’s been used. Used over 14,000 times a day in India.
- TeleCheck-A free browser extension that flags channels linked to known misinformation sites. It caught a fake "Times of India" domain (timesofindia.com.co) responsible for 22% of election rumors in 2024.
- Official channels-Subscribe to verified government or news accounts. In India, MyGov Corona Newsdesk has 2.7 million subscribers. In Ukraine, StopFake’s Telegram channel debunks rumors in real time.
And always check the "Forwarded from" label. If a message says "Forwarded from @UkraineNews", look up that channel. Is it verified? Does it have a blue check? Has it posted anything else? If it’s a new channel with no history? Treat it like a stranger offering you cash.
Why Telegram Won’t Fix This
Telegram says it’s about privacy. That’s true. But privacy shouldn’t mean lawlessness.
Telegram has 800 million users. It has fewer than 150 content moderators. That’s one person for every 5.3 million users. Facebook has 40,000 moderators for 3 billion users. Telegram doesn’t even have a public moderation report.
And it refuses to add basic features. No warning prompts before forwarding. No fact-check labels. No way to report a channel and actually get a response. A 2024 Trustpilot survey found 89% of users who reported misinformation saw no action.
Telegram doesn’t need ads. It’s funded by its founder. So it doesn’t care about engagement. That sounds good-until you realize that means it doesn’t care if lies go viral. No profit motive means no incentive to fix the problem.
The EU is threatening to classify Telegram as a "Very Large Online Platform" under its Digital Services Act. That would force it to act. But until then? You’re on your own.
What You Can Do Today
You can’t change Telegram. But you can change what you do.
- Unsubscribe from anonymous channels. If you don’t know who runs it, don’t trust it.
- Only follow verified accounts. Look for the blue check. If it’s not there, assume it’s not real.
- Use the 3-2-1 rule every single time. Even if it’s "just a joke."
- Teach someone. Show your parents, your cousins, your friends how to check before forwarding.
- Report suspicious channels-even if you think it won’t help. Every report adds up.
When you share something without checking, you’re not being helpful. You’re being part of the problem. And in a world where misinformation kills, that’s not a small thing.
The truth doesn’t need to go viral. It just needs to be believed. And right now, the loudest voice on Telegram isn’t the truth. It’s the lie that got forwarded one too many times.
Why is Telegram worse than WhatsApp for spreading rumors?
Telegram allows forwarding to 100 people at once, while WhatsApp limits it to 5 or 6. Telegram also has public channels with up to 200,000 subscribers, making it possible for one post to reach millions instantly. WhatsApp’s smaller group sizes and stricter forwarding limits slow down spread. Telegram’s lack of visible engagement metrics and verification also makes it easier for lies to look like truth.
Can I trust Telegram channels that look official?
No, not automatically. Fake channels often copy real ones-using similar names, logos, or even blue checkmarks (which Telegram doesn’t even officially offer). Always verify by checking the channel’s history, posts, and whether it’s linked from an official government or news website. If you’re unsure, search the channel name in Google. Real official channels usually have web pages or media coverage.
What should I do if I accidentally shared a rumor?
Delete your message if you can. Then, in the same group or chat, post a correction with a link to a trusted source that debunks it. Say something like: "I shared this earlier-it’s false. Here’s what’s actually happening: [link]." It won’t undo the damage, but it helps others who saw your post. Silence makes the lie stronger.
Are there any verified news sources on Telegram?
Yes. In India, MyGov Corona Newsdesk and the Election Commission’s official channels are verified. In Ukraine, StopFake and the Ukrainian government’s Telegram account are reliable. In the U.S., the CDC, FEMA, and major outlets like AP and Reuters have Telegram channels. But always double-check the username and profile-scammers create fake versions. Look for links on their official websites to confirm the Telegram handle.
Why doesn’t Telegram add fact-checking like X (Twitter)?
Telegram’s business model doesn’t rely on ads or user engagement, so it has no financial incentive to fix misinformation. Unlike Twitter, which faced pressure to add Community Notes to reduce harmful content, Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, prioritizes privacy and minimal moderation over safety. It’s a philosophical choice-and one that makes Telegram dangerous during crises.
How do I know if a video on Telegram is real?
Use reverse image search tools like @SMMBot on Telegram or Google Lens. Check the date-many fake videos are recycled from old events. Look for inconsistencies: mismatched clothing, wrong landmarks, or timestamps that don’t match the claimed event. If the video has no sound or cuts abruptly, it’s likely edited. Always cross-check with news sites that reported on the same event.
Next Steps: What to Do Right Now
Don’t wait for Telegram to fix itself. Start today.
- Go to your Telegram app. Open your subscribed channels. Unsubscribe from any anonymous or unverified ones.
- Search for your country’s official news or government Telegram account. Subscribe to it. Make it your first stop during breaking news.
- Install TeleCheck or another fact-checking tool on your browser. It takes 30 seconds.
- Next time you see a shocking video-pause. Ask yourself: "Have I checked three sources?"
Truth doesn’t need to be loud. It just needs to be trusted. And right now, the only person who can make sure it is-yourself.
