The resource called People Close by Telegram's feature can reveal the location of users of the app. The feature was launched in 2019, and received a new version last year. Telegram is considered by many to be one of the communication tools that offers the most privacy. However, letting other individuals know the location of a user does not seem to be something that strengthens this position.
Some problems are already recurring for those who use Telegram and participate in various groups on the platform. There are a significant number of scams being applied to unsuspecting users. Many of these are related to business proposals with Bitcoin.
Telegram Groups and People Nearby
It's not uncommon for someone you don't know to pop up in your notifications and start a conversation. When you contact this stranger, you notice that he or she is in the same place. group you are part of with hundreds of other people. With the detail that the telephone number of the stranger, as well as the vast majority of the others, is not available.
The possibility of strangers knowing the exact location of other people they can connect with virtually is yet another situation that we can treat as a flaw of the application.
The procedure involves using an app like Fake GPS (or walking or driving) to simulate your location within a 11 km radius of the user you want to locate. Then, just use Google Earth Pro to enter the three coordinates and draw circles around it. This way, you can know the exact location of anyone who has chosen to share it with the Telegram feature.
Telegram's positioning and what the user can do
Telegram believes that revealing users' locations is not harmful to those who use the platform. Considering that not everyone is constantly aware of these types of security flaws and breaches, the app's positioning may be considered questionable. In any case, some security measures can be taken to ensure that users are not left unprotected.
To check if you are not sharing your location via Telegram, just go to the app and click on People Nearby. If Telegram asks you to enable access to your location, it means that your location is not being shared.
When you click on People Nearby, you will see a list of users who are visible on the platform and who are located nearby. By default, the user will not be visible on the first interaction. If you want to share your location (which is not recommended), Telegram will ask if you want to Show Your Profile. If you are already visible, there will be a red link that says: Stop Showing Me. So, click on it.
Through which channels you reach those people, classic and out of the box. Android Police