Media: Telegram accounts for majority of public data leaks

Telegram accounted for 72% of publicly reported data leaks, according to calculations by Russia-based cybersecurity firm Gazinformservice cited by state news agency TASS.

Sergei Polunin, head of Gazinformservice’s IT infrastructure protection group, said the messaging platform continues to be the primary channel for trading leaked data, citing its large user base and relatively simple verification procedures.

“The statistics are straightforward: the larger the audience, the greater the number of leaks,” Polunin said.

He added that Telegram represents only part of the broader ecosystem of illicit data distribution. According to Gazinformservice, 26% of stolen data in 2024–2025 was shared on darknet marketplaces and specialised forums.

The company also reported that increased regulatory pressure on Telegram in 2025 led to the large-scale removal of content linked to data leaks.

By Sabina Mammadli