It's fine as long as you understand what you're using. If you're handling state secrets, probably shouldn't put those on telegram. If you're handling your grandmother's pie recipe, you're probably fine.

You can use it as long as you consider all conversations on there, including direct messages, as public and readable by any three letter agency out there. Telegram is not e2e encrypted, which means Telegram LLC can read all your messages and share them as they see fit.

Also remember that they have your phone number and IP address

In short, planning a night out with friends is probably fine, coordinating a protest is probably not.

https://rys.io/en/179.html Telegram is indistinguishable from an FSB honeypot

telegram is kind of a black box i personally wouldn´t trust.

i highly recommend signal or matrix/element

No. Signal would be best in my opinion

I've been using it for ages with my friends and I'm not convinced about its privacy benefits compared to WhatsApp or Signal.

Also if I have my @ on I frequently get messages from complete strangers offering me 'jobs'. I've also been added to some random groups without my consent. Seems Telegram has put some of these functionalities behind a premium subscription.

So safe? Not sure. Usable? Depending on your contact list there is a use case.

Its not as private as, lets say signal

Its better than whatsapp tho, plus have a lots of features and clean ui (you may see some annoying ads in public channels tho)