I use Telegram because it seems to be the most feature-rich messaging app available today. It enjoys enormous network effects, and the company behind it has pushed back on censorship.
Discussion
"pushed back on censorship" LOL
https://www.wired.com/story/the-kremlin-has-entered-the-chat/
I get it, the easiest explanation is that telegram got compromised (gov cooperation). But what about they Gboard or any other touch keyboard that sends everything you type for analysis to improve the usability? Aren't these companies supposed to share the data if requested by the auth?