Telegram 5.5 update gives privacy concerned even more reasons to install it

Telegram version 5.5 is now rolling out in the Google Play Store. Telegram announced the app update in a blog post yesterday, and it’s coming with several new privacy-focused features. 

Telegram has dropped the 48-hour deadline for message deletion, meaning you can now remove any message, at any time, for yourself and the recipient. This applies not only to your sent messages but also received messages, and you can remove them individually or all at once with a new “clear chat” button.

Essentially, users can now delete any message at all shared in the encrypted messaging app — something which is bound to come as pleasing news for those especially concerned with privacy.

Telegram has also rolled out an “anonymous forwarding” option to the app. With this enabled, when a person forwards one of your messages, other users will not be able to trace it back to you. The messages will show a name, but it won’t be interactive.

You can now restrict who can see your profile photo too.

As well as the privacy features, Telegram rolled out some less serious (more serious?) updates to emojis and GIFs. Android users can now search for emoji by keywords, while any GIF can now be previewed by tapping and holding them. There are several other smaller changes to GIFs and Emojis in Telegram 5.5 as well as TalkBack support on Android for greater accessibility.

Finally, Telegram has added a dedicated settings search feature to make navigating its search menu easier. 

The new Telegram update is rolling out in Google Play now but it may take more or less time to reach your location. If you’re keen on the app but are yet to use it, you can download it for free via the link below.