Is Telegram really an encrypted messaging app?

No.

As a kind of a weird bonus, activating end-to-end encryption in Telegram is oddly difficult for non-expert users to actually do.

When you can't use secret chat at ALL on desktop, fuck no it isn't.

Assuming end-to-end encryption is what's meant in the question.

If Telegram is considered an encrypted messenger, then FB messenger should be too. Works exactly the same. I don’t know about you, but being the same level as FB messenger should speak volumes to whether Telegram is “encrypted” or not 🙄

One of the most important rules of cybersecurity is: never roll your own encryption.

And what did the guys at Telegram do? Rolled their own encryption.

If you are into Telegram because you think it's secure, think again. There are much better alternatives out there, adopting proved industry standards. Signal or Matrix just to name a few.

It can be that. But it is also a medium for public forums.

Somehow it has public groups and requires your phone number. Not really sure how to find the groups though.

Oh here we go.

Manufacturing Consent to tear it down because victims around the world use it to get their voices out when everything else is shut down. People organizing against oppressive governments using it when nothing else is safe.

It can't be allowed to exist. This is them social engineering your acceptance of their tyranny. Don't bite the bait.

Sure its is. Russia has the keys so they can snoop. Its encrypted though so just the kremlin can read it. Enjoy.

Its funny how what is out there can't be comprehended by those who only see what they want to see. If he wasn't in putins pocket he would have fell out a window by now. The rest is just a sad song and dance that the weak minded buy into.