Messaging App Telegram Adds End-to-End Encrypted Video Calling

Messaging app Telegram has added a one-on-one video calling feature on both Android and iOS. After seven years of providing users with secure messaging services, the company has launched “fast and secure video calls”.

As reported by MacRumors, Telegram announced the additional feature via a blog post. Stating that the year has highlighted the need for face-to-face communications, Telegram found it important to incorporate video calls through its app. The alpha version of the video calling feature is available now to try. 

To start a call, users can initiate one from the contact’s profile page. Users can switch video on or off during a voice call as well. Telegram also notes that video calls support picture-in-picture mode, enabling users to scroll through chats and multitask while on a call.

Telegram claims the video calls feature end-to-end encryption. In the post, Telegram says: “All video calls are protected with end-to-end encryption. To confirm your connection, compare the four emoji shown on-screen for you and your chat partner – if they match, your call is 100% secured by time-tested encryption also used in Telegram’s Secret Chats and Voice Calls.”

The company acknowledges that there is still a lot of work to be done on the video calling feature. Telegram has said it hopes to launch a group video calling feature. While no specifics were given, the blog post did say Telegram’s plans were to release group calling “in the coming months”.

While celebrating its seven-year anniversary, Telegram has added animated emojis to its app as well. The company also states that Telegram has become one of the top 10 most downloaded apps, gaining 400 million users worldwide.