Valery Stepanov, who leads the Competence Center for Information Security T1 Integration, spoke in depth about how messenger users can be exposed to surveillance during an interview with the agency Hitting the Primer. He highlighted the risks that arise when apps track or expose user movements and locations through built‑in features. The warning is timely for users in Canada and the United States who rely on popular messaging platforms to stay connected in daily life and work, often sharing sensitive information in chats and groups.
Stepanov explained that a hacker group developed a script capable of exploiting the Telegram app to pinpoint a person’s exact location by using the Find Nearby People feature. This kind of misuse leverages the app’s location services and user presence data, which can be aggregated to reveal patterns about a person’s routine, contacts, and habits. The risk is not merely theoretical; it underscores how real-time location data can be leveraged by bad actors for targeted phishing, social engineering, or even physical security threats. The Canadian and American user bases should be aware that even trusted platforms can present location privacy challenges if settings are not managed carefully.
Beyond Telegram, Stepanov drew attention to vulnerabilities in WhatsApp, noting that attackers could collect substantial amounts of information about a user through weak data handling practices. He also mentioned the role of spam and bot activity that can be deployed to gather location data about a user’s device. The implication is clear: privacy safeguards must be continuously reviewed, and users should treat location sharing with caution, especially in public or semi‑public groups where many members can access message content and metadata.
To mitigate these risks, Stepanov recommended practical steps that users in North America and abroad can implement. He urged geolocation be turned on only when it is genuinely necessary, emphasizing that location data, once exposed, can be difficult to fully erase from a person’s digital footprint. He also advised enabling two‑factor authentication for all accounts to add a meaningful barrier against unauthorized access. In addition, he suggested limiting the size and membership of groups that can send messages and add chats, reducing the chance that outsiders can infiltrate conversations or push location‑sharing content to a broad audience.
The interview also touched on defensive habits that users can adopt in day‑to‑day messaging. Regularly reviewing app permission settings, turning off background location services when not needed, and updating apps promptly after security patches can collectively reduce exposure. Stepanov emphasized that awareness is a powerful shield; understanding how data is accessed, processed, and stored makes it easier to control what gets shared and with whom. He noted that even seemingly harmless features like video calls can be vectors for vulnerability if not properly secured, urging users to be mindful of what metadata is visible during such calls and to keep apps updated to patch any known weaknesses.
Ultimately, the expert’s guidance centers on a balanced approach to digital communication. People should enjoy the convenience of modern messaging while maintaining vigilance over their privacy. For those in Canada and the United States, this means adjusting privacy settings, using strong authentication, and being selective about who can contact them or access their location data. The precautions are straightforward, but they require consistent, deliberate action. The broader takeaway is that privacy in messaging is an ongoing practice, not a one‑time fix. Attribution: Hitting the Primer interview with Valery Stepanov provides the foundation for these recommendations and underscores the importance of secure digital communication practices for users in North America. [Source attribution: Hitting the Primer]