How can i complain to Telegram: the main ways

In this article, we will thoroughly explore the main methods of filing complaints in Telegram. You will learn when it is necessary, how to complain about a person, channel, or group in Telegram, and what to do if you encounter fraud. We will also discuss whether anonymity is preserved when submitting complaints and provide some security tips in Telegram.

Why complaints are needed in Telegram

Complaints are a tool that allows users to inform Telegram moderators about content or behavior that violates messenger rules. Telegram rules prohibit the publication and distribution:

• Spam and intrusive advertising;
• Fraudulent schemes and phishing links;
• Materials that violate copyright;
• Pornography and sexually explicit content involving minors;
• Calls for violence, extremism, terrorism;
• Content promoting drugs and other banned substances;
• Malicious software, viruses, and hacking tools;
• Content inciting hatred and discrimination on racial, ethnic, religious, or other grounds;
• Publishing personal information of others without their consent;
• Any other illegal content.

In addition, Telegram does not tolerate insults, bullying, threats, and harassment towards other users. Violators of these rules may receive a warning, temporary block, or a complete ban of the account.

When filing complaints, do not forget that Telegram values free speech and does not block users for ordinary disputes, criticism, or disagreement in opinions. Complaints are meant to combat real violations and threats, not to settle personal scores. When sending a report to moderators, be objective and follow the platform’s rules and common sense.

How to file a complaint in Telegram

Let’s look at the main ways to file complaints against various objects in Telegram – users, messages, groups, channels, and bots. Depending on the situation, you can choose the most appropriate option.

Against a person

If you encounter unpleasant content or behavior in a personal correspondence with another user, you can file a complaint against them. This is possible under several conditions:

1. The user initiated the dialogue and wrote to you first;
2. They are not in your contact list;
3. No more than one week (7 days) has passed since the start of your communication.

Make sure all three conditions are met. Then press the “Block” button displayed at the top of the dialogue. In the menu that appears, select the “Report spam” option.

Note that when complaining through this method, you cannot specify a particular reason, such as fraud or insults. But the user’s account will still be reviewed by moderators and is likely to be restricted.

If more than a week has passed since the start of the dialogue or for other reasons the “Block” button is unavailable, use other methods described below (complaint about specific messages or the entire account through a form).

Against a fraudster

Unfortunately, messengers attract not only honest users but also fraudsters who try to deceitfully extract money, personal data, or gain other benefits at someone else’s expense. If you suspect you are dealing with a fraudster:

1. Under no circumstances should you transfer money to them, provide your passwords, SMS codes, or other confidential information;
2. Do not follow the links they send, especially if they lead to external unverified sites. These could be phishing pages for data theft;
3. Stop communication and block their account so they can no longer contact you.
4. How to complain about a fraudster in Telegram has been described above (by pressing the “Block” button – “Report spam”);
5. Write to Telegram support at report@telegram.org, briefly describe the situation, specify the fraudster’s username, and if possible, attach screenshots of the correspondence as evidence of their wrongful actions;
6. Fill out a special form for complaints about fraud: https://telegram.org/scam. In it, you will need to specify your account, the fraudster’s data, details of what happened, and upload supporting files;
7. Warn others about the potential danger by making a post in popular groups and channels dedicated to internet security.

Remember that direct requests to transfer money, persistent offers of dubious investments, services, goods, or job vacancies are likely signs of fraud. Always check who you are dealing with, and do not trust anyone blindly. In case of a real threat, contact law enforcement agencies.

Against a Telegram channel

Here’s how to complain about a Telegram channel:

1. Open its page and press the button with three dots in the upper right corner of the screen (if you have an iPhone – press “More”);
2. In the drop-down menu, select the “Complain” option;
3. In the window that appears, specify the reason for the complaint, choosing one of the offered options: spam, fraud, pornography, violence, calls for hatred, copyright, other;
4. If the app asks you to add a comment – write a few words about the nature of the problem;
5. In the next step, you will be asked to select specific channel messages that violate the rules (from one to ten). Mark the most indicative publications;
6. Press the “Complain” button to send the complaint for moderator review.

In addition, you can write to Telegram support at abuse@telegram.org. In the letter, provide a link to the channel, describe which rules it violates, and if possible, attach screenshots or other evidence. The moderators will review the complaint and take action.

Complaints against channels are very important as they help stop the spread of illegal, harmful, and offensive information among a potentially huge audience. Think about other people who might encounter such content.

Is it anonymous or not

The question of anonymity when submitting complaints in Telegram concerns many users. Yes, in most cases, your name is not disclosed to the person you are complaining about. But there are some nuances.

When you send a complaint about a message in a chat, channel, or group through the built-in “Complain” function, the administrators of that chat, channel, group do not see who specifically sent the complaint. They only receive a general notification that a complaint has been made against such a publication. Telegram protects your confidentiality.

The same applies to a complaint against a user in a personal correspondence when pressing the “Block” – “Report spam” button. The user will not know that it was you who filed the complaint against them. They will only receive an automatic notification from Telegram that a complaint has been filed against them, but without mentioning your name.

However, if you contact Telegram support directly through email or a form on the website, your personal data (name, surname, phone number, username) may be disclosed to the person you are complaining about if the investigation requires it.

For example, if you accuse someone of violating your copyright and ask Telegram to block the content, the platform is legally required to notify the violator of the received complaint so that they can file a counter-appeal and explain their position. In this case, your contact details provided in the request will be disclosed.

In other cases, when you write to support with complaints about spam, fraud, insults, etc., your anonymity is usually preserved. But it’s better to clarify this point in the request itself if it’s important to you. The moderators will try to accommodate your request.

Understand that the Telegram team has no intention of disclosing the identities of complainants without extreme necessity. Doing so could harm the messenger’s reputation and user trust. Therefore, the company has a strict policy on confidentiality and protection of personal data.

If you do not want to file a complaint personally, but believe that some content or channel definitely violates the rules and should be blocked, you can ask someone you know to do it, so as not to disclose your name. Or create a separate temporary Telegram account for this purpose.

Conclusion

If you encounter something in Telegram that violates the messenger’s rules – do not stand aside. Submit a complaint through the built-in features of the app or write to support. Do it thoughtfully and responsibly, avoiding false accusations. Complaints help make Telegram better and safer. It’s a necessary measure against destructive phenomena, but it should not become a tool for settling scores. Treat it seriously and carefully. Be active and caring users. Contribute to developing a healthy communication atmosphere. Together, we can make our favorite messenger even better and more comfortable for everyone!