Title: 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 misuse. Users can still interact with people and groups nearby through other methods, but should always be mindful of their privacy settings.

Telegram's 'People Nearby' and 'Groups Nearby' Features

Telegram once offered a "People Nearby" feature, but it has since been removed, and users can no longer find this menu in the app. This change occurred because the feature was being misused by malicious individuals, who were mass-adding users through location spoofing.

Where Can You Find Telegram's 'People Nearby' and 'Groups Nearby' Features?

• iOS Client: Tap "Contacts" at the bottom bar → Select "People Nearby & Groups Nearby"
• Android Client: Tap the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top-left corner of the main screen → Select "People Nearby & Groups Nearby"

Why Can't I See 'People Nearby & Groups Nearby' in the iOS Client's 'Contacts' Interface?

If your contacts list is empty, "People Nearby & Groups Nearby" will not be displayed by default. Simply add one contact (making sure to uncheck "Share My Phone" when adding them) to reveal this feature. Additionally, granting "Contacts Access Permission" can also make it appear, but it's not recommended to enable this permission for privacy reasons.

Why Are 'People Nearby' and 'Groups Nearby' Empty?

• People Nearby: It is hidden by default. You need to tap "Make Myself Visible" to appear. Others will only see you if you enable this option; likewise, you will only see others if they have enabled it.
• Groups Nearby: This feature will appear empty if no one nearby has created a local group.

How to Create a Location-Based Group?

Below "People Nearby & 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 important to note that public groups with location information will not appear in Telegram's global search, and location information cannot be added to an already existing group.

By understanding these Telegram features, users can better utilize the platform for social interaction while also being mindful of their personal privacy.