Ethical Consideration: This is an explicit user action to share a specific contact. Developers should still treat this data with care and only use it for the stated purpose.
For most bot interactions, developers rely on the user_id (a unique numerical ID for each Telegram user) rather than their phone number.
Always Provided: Whenever a user interacts with a bot, the user_id is automatically sent to the bot.
Privacy-Friendly: The user_id is a private identifier that doesn’t reveal any personal information unless the user explicitly shares it. Bots can store and use this user_id to maintain context, identify users, and personalize interactions without ever needing their phone number.
Ethical Best Practices for Developers:
Always Obtain Explicit Consent: Never assume consent for phone number access. Use Telegram’s request_contact button.
Data Minimization: Only request and store phone numbers (or any personal data) if it’s absolutely essential for your bot’s core functionality.
Transparency: Clearly explain why your bot needs a phone number before asking for it. Have a public Privacy Policy linked in your bot’s description.
Secure Storage: If you collect phone telegram number database numbers, store them securely (encrypted) in your database.
Data Deletion: Provide users with a way to have their data, including their phone number, deleted from your bot’s storage upon request.
By following these methods and ethical guidelines, developers can integrate phone number functionality into their Telegram bots in a privacy-respecting and user-friendly manner.tact button in a private chat with the bot.
User Control: Users can always decline to share their number. Bots should be designed to handle this gracefully.
Bot-User Interaction Only: The request_contact button works only in private chats between the user and the bot. It cannot be used in group chats or channels.
Bots might legitimately need a phone number for various services:
Authentication: Verifying user from planning and preparation to execution identity for a service (e.g., linking a Telegram account to a real-world user account).
Order Confirmation/Delivery: For services clean email that require delivery or direct contact outside Telegram.
Account Recovery/Verification: As a secondary ! factor for security-sensitive operations.