The well-known messaging app Telegram recently announced that users in mainland China will be charged approximately $1.19 to register a new account using a mobile phone number. The official explanation is that this measure is due to the high cost of sending verification SMS to China, and the expenses must be covered by charging a fee.
The news sparked heated discussions among domestic users. Many netizens believe that although the amount is small, it will increase the cost significantly for those who frequently change or register accounts in bulk; others worry that this may affect the overall user experience and growth of new users in China.
Telegram emphasizes that the main purpose of charging fees is to maintain operations, ensure that verification SMS are delivered properly, and safeguard the stability and security of the registration and login processes. They also remind users to understand the fee standards before registering to avoid affecting the user experience.
