Telegram Restricts Use of HTML Widgets for Bots in Chats

Telegram has restricted the use of HTML widgets for bots in private chats. Now, general bots cannot send HTML widgets, as confirmed by a member of the Bot API team. This means users will no longer be able to interact with bots using HTML content, which may reduce the level of functionality provided by bots in Telegram.

This restriction is less severe than a complete freeze of all mini-apps on the platform, but it underscores Telegram's serious approach to security issues. These measures are being implemented amid security concerns arising from recent incidents involving user data. Telegram has previously faced criticism for insufficient data protection, and this new restriction is seen by some analysts as a way to enhance information security and reduce risks associated with vulnerabilities in bot code.

A more detailed explanation of the restrictions has been prepared, but it is known that bots will remain functional without HTML widgets. This decision will reduce flexibility for developers, as some bot functions may be limited in their implementation. It is important to note that the use of text commands and other bot functions remains available. Developers may now need to reconsider their strategies for creating bots in Telegram, taking these restrictions into account. It is important to understand that the current restrictions apply exclusively to HTML widgets, and the ability to send other types of content remains unchanged. Nevertheless, this situation could significantly impact the future development of standalone applications within Telegram and the overall platform ecosystem, given growing concerns about data security.

Telegram continues to demonstrate its commitment to user security by introducing new restrictions. Such measures may further complicate user interactions with bots, raising many questions among developers and users. It is not yet clear how these restrictions will affect the broader ecosystem of bots and mini-apps in Telegram. However, the use of text commands and other bot functions remains available to users, which will mitigate the negative impact of the introduced restrictions. The platform has a long history of updates and improvements, and further changes may lead to enhanced overall service security.