Telegram Hits 10 Million Premium Users as It Introduces Verified Business Payments

• Telegram reaches 10 million paid subscribers, marking a major step for the app’s premium service growth.
• “Businesses Nearby” will replace the underused “People Nearby,” allowing verified businesses to display catalogs and accept payments.
• CEO Pavel Durov addresses legal challenges, stressing the need for innovators to avoid liability for platform misuse by third parties.

Telegram has achieved a milestone of 10 million paid subscribers. This marks a huge achievement for the messaging app, as 10 million users now enjoy the exclusive features of Telegram Premium. Alongside this accomplishment, Telegram is introducing new features aimed at improving user experience, while discontinuing outdated tools.

“Businesses Nearby” Feature to Replace “People Nearby”

As part of its updates, Telegram is launching a new feature called “Businesses Nearby.” This feature will allow verified businesses to showcase their product catalogs and accept payments directly through the platform. It is designed to enhance trust by showcasing legitimate businesses and helping users easily find services in their vicinity. 

Notably, this change comes as Telegram retires the “People Nearby” feature, which had been underused and posed challenges with bot and scam activity. Less than 0.1% of users engaged with “People Nearby,” leading to its removal.

Moderation Efforts to Address Criticisms

Telegram has faced criticism over its moderation policies, but the company is now taking steps to change that perception. This year, Telegram is committed to transforming its moderation practices into a point of praise. 

With almost a billion users on the platform, Telegram acknowledges that while 99.999% of its users have no involvement in criminal activities, the small fraction that does has impacted the platform’s image. By implementing stricter controls and focusing on preventing misuse, Telegram aims to protect the broader interests of its user base.

CEO Durov’s Recent Legal Struggles

Recently, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov shared details of his arrest in France, highlighting concerns about the legal responsibility placed on platform owners. According to Durov, Telegram has an official representative in the European Union responsible for responding to law enforcement requests. 

However, he expressed frustration with outdated legal practices that hold CEOs accountable for third-party actions. Durov emphasized that innovators need the freedom to develop new technologies without the fear of legal consequences stemming from misuse by a minority of users.