Pavel Durov, co-founder of the Telegram messaging platform, has warned that push notifications represent a persistent privacy vulnerability, even when messages are deleted or applications are removed from devices. His comments followed reports that investigators were able to retrieve deleted messages through device notification logs.
Durov referenced a report indicating that the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) accessed notification logs on an Apple iPhone to recover deleted Signal messages. He cautioned that disabling notification previews alone does not guarantee privacy, noting that message data may still be exposed if other users in a conversation keep notification features active.
Metadata Access Raises Concerns Over End-to-End Encryption Limits
Recent developments highlight how investigators can bypass end-to-end encryption by accessing metadata and system-level logs created by messaging applications. This capability has increased calls for decentralized messaging platforms that minimize or eliminate centralized data storage.
Interest in alternative communication tools has surged since 2025, driven by geopolitical tensions and communication shutdowns. The decentralized messaging app Bitchat, which operates through Bluetooth mesh networks, recorded over 48,000 downloads in Nepal during a nationwide social media ban in September 2025.
Durov also noted that attempts to ban messaging platforms often lead users to adopt virtual private networks (VPNs). Despite restrictions, more than 50 million users in Iran have reportedly downloaded Telegram, demonstrating how users bypass national bans through privacy tools.
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