Cybercriminals have a new alternative to the dark web — Telegram. An investigation by cybersecurity researchers into the messaging platform has revealed that private data of millions of people are being shared openly on groups and channels that have thousands of members.According to reports, researchers from vpnMentor have found that cybercriminals are using Telegram to "share and discuss" massive data leaks that can expose "millions of people to unprecedented levels of online fraud, hacking, and attack".

Another investigation conducted by NortonLifeLock has found evidence of a "thriving illegal marketplace" on Telegram where everything from Covid-19 vaccines, personal data, pirated software to fake IDs are up for sale. The research done by vpnMentor had their team joining several cyber crime-focused groups and channels on Telegram to witness these "illicit exchanges" between bad actors and themselves first hand.Not surprisingly, they found hackers "openly posting data dumps on channels" some of which have over 10,000 members. These "unscrupulous users" also don't shy away from discussing how these data dumps can be exploited.