The short answer
- 1The API terms cover every third-party app and script that acts as a user account.
- 2No ghost mode, no keeping self-destructing messages, no forced installs, no AI training on Telegram data.
- 3Breaches get a 10-day notice, but spam and flooding can get an account banned at once.
In this article
Who the terms cover
The Telegram API Terms of Service apply to every third-party app built on the Telegram API: unofficial clients, and scripts that log in with an api_id and act as a person's account. Bots built on the Bot API follow separate bot rules. Below is a plain-English summary; when it matters, read the original at core.telegram.org/api/terms.
What the terms prohibit
| Prohibited | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Acting without the user knowing | Your app must not do things with the account that its owner has not understood and agreed to |
| Breaking basic features | No keeping self-destructing messages, no "ghost mode" that alters read receipts, hides online or last-seen status, or blocks typing indicators |
| Forcing installs | People using other Telegram apps must not need yours to see what was sent with it |
| Training AI | Data obtained from Telegram must not be used to train, fine-tune or build AI or machine-learning models |
Apps must also protect user privacy "with utmost care" and follow Telegram's security guidelines for clients; see client security guidelines.
What you must disclose
- Your own api_id per app; see getting an api_id and api_hash.
- That the app uses the Telegram API, stated prominently in the app store description and the in-app introduction.
- The name: "Telegram" may appear in the title only if "Unofficial" comes before it.
- The logo: the official Telegram logo may not be used.
- Money: ads and other legitimate monetisation are allowed, but every method must be listed in the store description. Apps that show channel content must support Telegram's official sponsored messages and must not hide them.
What happens when an app breaks them
Telegram notifies the account responsible for the app. The developer then has 10 days to fix the issue. If it is not fixed, Telegram may revoke the app's API access and ask app stores to remove it.
Pick the route that does not get you banned
| What you want | Use instead of an automated user account |
|---|---|
| Notify many people | A bot or a channel, which people join or start themselves |
| Answer customer messages automatically | A bot, or a chatbot connected to Telegram Business; see how Telegram Business works |
| Send verification codes | The Gateway API; see the Gateway API |
| Your sending is already limited | Check with @SpamBot; see whether a restriction message is real |
Why the bot route exists in the first place is in bot accounts vs user-account automation.
FAQ
Can I put 'Telegram' in my app's name?
Only if 'Unofficial' comes before it, and you may not use the official Telegram logo.
Is a ghost mode feature allowed in a Telegram client?
No. The API terms forbid altering read receipts or hiding online, last-seen or typing status.
Can I use Telegram data to train an AI model?
No. The API terms prohibit using data obtained from Telegram to train, fine-tune or build AI or machine-learning models.
Sources
At a glance
- 1Prohibited
Hidden actions, ghost mode, forced installs, AI training.
- 2Disclose
'Unofficial' in the name, no logo, list monetisation.
- 3Enforcement
10 days to fix; spam can mean a permanent ban.
Updated
