A Deep Dive into Telegram's People Nearby and Groups Nearby Features
Conclusion: Telegram's "People Nearby" and "Groups Nearby" features, while once available, were removed due to widespread abuse. Users can still interact with people and groups in their vicinity through other means, but should always pay attention to their privacy settings.
Telegram's People Nearby and Groups Nearby Features
Telegram used to offer the "People Nearby" feature, but it has since been removed, and users can no longer find this menu in the client. This change was implemented because the feature was being abused by malicious actors, leading to a large number of users being bulk-added through the use of virtual locations.
Where can I find Telegram's People Nearby and Groups Nearby features?
- iOS Client: Tap "Contacts" on the bottom tab bar → then select "People Nearby and Groups Nearby".
- Android Client: From the main interface, tap the three horizontal lines in the top-left corner → then select "People Nearby and Groups Nearby".
Why can't I see "People Nearby and Groups Nearby" in the iOS client's "Contacts" interface?
If your contacts list is empty, "People Nearby and Groups Nearby" will not be displayed by default. Simply add one contact (ensuring you uncheck "Share My Phone" when adding) to make this feature visible. Additionally, enabling "Contacts Access Permission" will also make it appear, but it is not recommended to enable this permission for privacy protection.
Why are "People Nearby" and "Groups Nearby" empty?
- People Nearby: This feature is hidden by default. You need to tap "Make Myself Visible" to appear to others. Only if you enable this option will others be able to see you; similarly, you will only see others if they have enabled this option.
- Groups Nearby: If no one nearby has created a group, then this feature will appear empty.
How to create a location-based group?
Below "People Nearby and Groups Nearby", you can find the "Create Local Group" option. Groups created using this feature will include location information (e.g., Group Name@notionso), and this information cannot be removed. It's worth noting that public groups with location information will not appear in Telegram's global search, and existing groups cannot have location information added to them.
By understanding these features, users can better utilise the Telegram platform for social interaction while also paying attention to protecting their personal privacy.