Telegram update will include secure group video calls

'There are apps that are either secure or useable, but not both. We'd like to fix that'

Telegram's latest update brings some much-needed features to the messaging app (Getty Images)

Telegram has announced plans to introduce secure group video call functionality for all of its users in response to the global coronavirus lockdown.

The new feature was revealed by Telegram founder Pavel Durov in a blog post celebrating the messaging app passing 400 million users. There is no set date for when the update will be implemented, though Mr Durov said it would happen before the end of the year.

"The current global lockdown highlighted the need for a trusted video communication tool," he wrote. "Video calls in 2020 are much like messaging in 2013. There are apps that are either secure or useable, but not both. We'd like to fix that, and we will focus on bringing you secure group video calls in 2020."

Confinement measures aimed at stemming the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus have seen video chat apps like Zoom sore in popularity in recent months as people around the world have been forced to stay at home.

Privacy and security issues have plagued the app, prompting some organisations and government agencies to warn people against using it.

Since launching in 2013, Telegram has focussed heavily on privacy and was one of the first messaging apps to introduce end-to-end encryption.

It shares much of the same functionality and interface design as its more popular rival WhatsApp, which already supports group video calls. Group video calls in Facebook-owned WhatsApp were limited to four people at any one time, however a recent update means up to 50-people can now join them.

It is not yet clear how many people will be able to take part in group calls on Telegram and a spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Other new features set to be introduced include an expanded Quiz Mode, as well as new incentives for people creating educational tests through the messaging app.

A crowd-sourcing initiative will see Telegram distribute €400,000 in prizes to creators of the tests, which can be built and published through the @QuizBot tool.

"With 2 billion students currently away from schools, the world is in dire need of online educational tools," Mr Durov wrote in the blog post.

"We'd like to contribute to solving this problem by creating a database of educational tests for all subjects and levels."