The ability to establish a Telegram profile without the conventional requirement of a personal telephone number presents a deviation from the standard registration process for the messaging application. This involves utilizing alternative methods, such as virtual numbers or, in some cases, exploiting loopholes in the initial account setup to bypass the phone number verification stage. An example would be using a temporary, disposable phone number to receive the initial verification code and then subsequently removing it from the account settings.
Circumventing the standard phone number requirement offers certain advantages. It enhances user privacy by disassociating a personal phone number from the Telegram account, reducing the risk of unwanted contacts or data breaches linked to that number. Historically, this need arose from privacy concerns and the desire to maintain anonymity online, especially in regions with strict internet surveillance or censorship. Furthermore, it addresses accessibility issues for individuals who may not possess a readily available or easily accessible phone number for verification purposes.