If I add a bot to my group, can it read my messages?
It depends on the bot's privacy mode, and Telegram shows you which one applies. By default a bot sees only messages meant for it. Some bots need more, and when they do, the group members list says so explicitly.
The two modes
| Mode | What the bot receives | What the members list shows |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy mode on (default) | Commands addressed to it, replies to its own messages, and messages mentioning it | has no access to messages |
| Privacy mode off | Every message sent to the group | has access to messages |
How to check
- Open the group's member list.
- Find the bot.
- Read the line under its name. It states which of the two applies, in plain words.
This is unusually transparent for a permission model: you do not have to infer anything, and the answer is visible to every member rather than only to administrators.
When full access is legitimate
Anti-spam bots, moderation bots and anything that reacts to content rather than commands genuinely need to see the conversation, because that is the job. The question to ask is not whether a bot has access but whether what it does requires it. A bot that only responds to slash commands has no reason to read everything, and one that asks for it anyway is worth a second look.