Telegram is an independent messaging platform that is not owned by Facebook. Telegram was founded in 2013 by Nikolai and Pavel Durov, who also founded VKontakte, Russia’s largest social network. Telegram is based in Dubai and Berlin and has over 500 million monthly active users globally as of 2022.
The History of Telegram
The Durov brothers started working on Telegram in 2013 after leaving VKontakte. They were motivated by their desire to create an independent and privacy-focused messaging app after clashing with the Russian government over access to user data on VKontakte. Telegram was launched in August 2013 as a free, open source, encrypted messaging service.
Since its launch, Telegram has positioned itself as an independent alternative to messaging platforms owned by major technology companies. It has resisted pressure from the Russian government to hand over encryption keys and refused to sell user data to third parties. Telegram’s independence is central to its brand and appeal among users who value privacy.
Telegram’s Ownership Structure
Telegram is owned and self-funded by Pavel Durov through his tech start-up Telegram Messenger LLP. Pavel Durov has maintained full control and ownership of Telegram since its inception.
Specifically, Telegram has the following ownership structure:
- Telegram Messenger LLP is the main legal entity behind Telegram based in Dubai.
- Pavel Durov is the sole owner and beneficiary of Telegram Messenger LLP.
- The Telegram app is owned by To the Moon Labs Ltd, which is owned by Pavel Durov.
- Telegram core messaging features and technology are open source and developed by Telegram Messenger LLP.
- The Telegram platform itself and user data are fully owned and controlled by Durov.
This ownership structure means Pavel Durov has full decision making control over Telegram and has no legal obligation to provide user data to third parties.
Facebook’s Ownership and Founding
In contrast to Telegram, Facebook has a very different ownership history and structure.
The key facts about Facebook’s ownership include:
- Facebook was founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg, Eduardo Saverin, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes while students at Harvard.
- Zuckerberg has long been the majority owner and CEO of Facebook.
- Facebook became a public company in 2012 when it held its initial public offering (IPO) and became listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange.
- While Zuckerberg retains a controlling share, ownership of Facebook is now distributed among thousands of public shareholders.
- As a public company, Facebook is obligated to maximize shareholder value and profits.
This public ownership structure means Facebook does not have a single controlling owner like Telegram does with Pavel Durov. It also has legal obligations to shareholders to turn a profit by monetizing user data through advertising.
Telegram and Facebook Have Very Different Business Models
Further emphasizing their different ownership structures, Telegram and Facebook have very different business models when it comes to monetization and user privacy:
| Telegram | |
|---|---|
| Does not sell ads or user data | Makes money primarily through targeted advertising based on user data |
| Focused on user privacy | Needs user data to drive ad business model |
| Encrypted messaging to protect chats | Uses messaging data to inform ads and content |
| Goal is to remain independent platform | Goal is to maximize revenue and shareholder value |
Telegram has maintained its commitment to user privacy even at the expense of revenue growth. This focus on privacy over profit is a direct result of Durov’s independent ownership and control. If Telegram had public shareholders to please, it may have monetized data differently.
Facebook Has Repeatedly Expressed Interest in Acquiring Telegram
As Telegram grew into a leading global messaging platform in the mid 2010s, Facebook recognized it as a growing threat to its WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and Instagram messaging products. This prompted Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to explore ways to neutralize this threat.
According to media reports, Facebook made several attempts to acquire Telegram in the past. These include:
- In 2013, Facebook offered $1 billion to acquire Telegram when it was a fledgling startup. Durov rejected the offer.
- In 2017, Facebook made another offer to purchase Telegram while engaging in talks with Durov. Again Telegram refused acquisition.
- In 2018, Facebook was said to be willing to spend up to $2 billion to convince Telegram to join Facebook’s ecosystem. This third acquisition attempt also failed.
Had Telegram sold to Facebook in its early days, it likely would have been absorbed into Facebook’s messaging empire and lost its brand independence. However, Pavel Durov’s outright rejection of Facebook’s repeated acquisition attempts allowed Telegram to grow independently.
Why Telegram Chose to Remain Independent from Facebook
Telegram was able to resist acquisition by Facebook due to the following key factors:
- As sole owner, Pavel Durov could make decisions unilaterally without worrying about shareholder desires or fiduciary duty.
- Durov was financially well-off enough from selling VKontakte shares that he didn’t need to take Facebook’s money.
- Staying independent meant Durov could continue developing Telegram based on his commitment to user privacy and free speech.
- Selling to Facebook would have aligned against Telegram’s core values and brand positioning.
Additionally, as Telegram grew rapidly beyond 2018 to over 500 million users, it gained the resources and validation needed to stay sustainable as an independent company. Taking Facebook’s offer became less necessary over time.
Conclusion
In summary, Telegram has been able to maintain its status as an independent messaging platform not owned by Facebook due to:
- Its sole ownership by founder Pavel Durov rather than public shareholders.
- Durov’s financial ability to reject multi-billion dollar acquisition offers from Facebook.
- Telegram’s commitment to privacy and independence that contradicts Facebook’s model.
- Telegram’s rapid user growth giving it sustainability as a standalone global platform.
While Facebook has repeatedly tried to acquire Telegram to neutralize a competitor, Telegram was able to resist these advances and remain an independent, privacy-focused alternative in messaging. Its ownership structure and values have been central to keeping Telegram independent from influence by a company like Facebook.
Telegram’s history shows how concentrated ownership can allow a platform to follow its values rather than bowing to external shareholder pressures. This runs counter to examples like WhatsApp and Instagram which lost independence after being acquired by Facebook despite initial assurances of autonomy. Telegram was able to maintain its brand identity by never ceding ownership control to an outside party like Facebook.
Going forward, Telegram’s independence rests on the shoulders of its sole owner Pavel Durov. As long as he remains committed to Telegram’s core values and resists outside acquisition attempts, Telegram is likely to retain its distinct identity separate from larger rivals like Facebook. However, once Durov exits, the future direction of Telegram could change dramatically if ownership falls into different hands. For now, Telegram continues to chart its own course as a non-Facebook controlled alternative in the messaging ecosystem.