Telegram CEO

Telegram and WhatsApp’s rivalry has reached a new high, and this time, there’s money involved. Telegram’s CEO Pavel Durov has launched a sharp criticism of WhatsApp, accusing the Meta-owned platform of being a “cheap copycat.” To back his claim and stir public engagement, Durov has announced a $50,000 (approximately ₹2.72 lakh) bounty for creators who can expose how WhatsApp has allegedly copied Telegram’s features.

According to Telegram, many of WhatsApp’s most-loved features were actually introduced first on its own platform. To prove this, Telegram is calling on users to create short, TikTok-style videos comparing the two apps and demonstrating feature-by-feature similarities. The goal is to raise awareness about what Telegram claims is repeated imitation by WhatsApp over the years. The contest is open until May 26, 2025, and winners will be revealed in June.

To make participation easier, Telegram has released a list of 30 specific features that it claims were originally developed by its team before WhatsApp implemented similar tools. This includes features such as customizable chat folders, large group capacity, enhanced privacy settings, and more. Telegram notes that this list is “far from complete,” suggesting there are still many original features that WhatsApp has yet to implement — or potentially mimic in the future.

The contest rules are simple: entries must be under 180 seconds, in English, and can even include AI-generated content. This inclusive approach opens the doors for creators, tech enthusiasts, and even everyday users to take part. It’s not just about exposing WhatsApp — it’s also about showcasing Telegram’s innovation and giving the community a voice in the ongoing debate over originality in tech.

This isn’t the first time Durov has taken aim at WhatsApp. Back in 2022, he accused the platform of having security flaws, including alleged backdoors that could potentially compromise user data. At the time, he strongly advised users to avoid WhatsApp entirely, claiming that “if you have WhatsApp installed, all your data from every app is accessible.”

Adding to the drama, Durov also recently claimed that a Western European government — implied to be France — requested Telegram to censor conservative voices in Romania ahead of the upcoming presidential election. Durov stated that he “flatly refused,” reinforcing Telegram’s stance on protecting freedom of speech. As the messaging platform wars heat up, Telegram seems determined not just to innovate but to call out its competitors publicly — and now, it’s giving users the chance to join in.