Telegram hosts bots that reveal profiles of messenger users in detail. These profiles can include a user ID, current and past usernames such as @ivanpetrov, first and last names, and a list of chats and channels the person participates in. In closed chats, only the invite link is visible. Bots like TeleSINT, TgScanRobot, and Insight illustrate how such data can be collected. Some bots even retain information about chats and channels from which a user has unsubscribed.
Other bots can reveal a user ID and username and then disclose the person’s phone number even if the user has hidden it in their settings. Some identify the creators of invitation links in the t.me/joinchat format and even reveal authors of Telegram stickers. To operate, a user sends a chosen image to the bot, and the service may respond with the uploader’s ID.
Beyond bots, Telegram supports alternative clients. These are computer programs and mobile apps that fetch and display data from the messenger’s servers. TelegramX is among the most popular alternates for smartphones. All such clients are legally built on the Telegram API and its open source code.
In addition to standard tools, enthusiasts create alternative clients that interpret server data in unconventional ways. Some of these services are used to anonymize activity or monitor others. One example is a Geogramint client designed to estimate a user’s approximate location. It looks like an OpenStreetMap map with an integrated Telegram authorization system.
There is also Telegram OSINT, a client developed by a well known IT firm that has drawn attention on social networks for claiming to offer advanced discovery features. It combines several tools that allow users to track a person’s online duration, access public messages, and view activity within a geographic radius around a user.
Who uses this?
Experts in information analysis note that Telegram is used by security personnel at large companies, marketers, journalists, investigators, and others to gather data about people. The same tools that make it easy to learn about someone also raise concerns about privacy. It is possible for authorities, private individuals, or organized groups to collect observations from the platform, depending on how the tools are used and the legal framework in place.
Security researchers and OSINT specialists describe a broad audience for these tools. They emphasize business use cases such as verifying credibility of employees and partners, detecting cybercrime, and gathering information for casework. Yet the underlying capabilities can be repurposed for personal monitoring as well, which raises ethical questions.
Industry experts highlight that the market for open source intelligence within the Telegram ecosystem has grown. Analysts describe extensive development of research tools since Telegram became widely adopted. Recent years have seen methodical work to map channels and public activity to understand trends and potential risks.
Practical investigations sometimes intersect with law enforcement. A notable example shows how coordinated discussions can be identified and monitored to prevent harms. In such cases, authorities work with researchers to uncover illicit networks and disrupt harmful activities while safeguarding civil rights.