⚡️ Exclusive: Why the Telegram–Grok integration never materialized

Negotiations between Durov and Musk ran into disagreements over how to ensure the privacy of Telegram users’ data. At the same time, Grok was not the only chatbot considered for integration into the messenger.

Sources close to the talks told Durov’s Code what prevented Durov from launching the project and securing the $300 million deal.

☀ https://durovscode.com/why-telegram-grok-no-deal

😄 No face, no feed

OpenAI’s future social network → may require biometric verification to keep bots out.

Users could be asked to authenticate via Face ID, while those on other devices may need to provide an iris scan.

@durovs_code

🤐 Brainrot, out

YouTube has started removing low-quality AI content → farms. Since November 2025, 16 major AI-driven channels have been taken down or wiped clean.

Together they generated 35+ million subscribers, 4.7 billion views, and nearly $10 million a year.

@durovs_code

❤️ This weekend in #TECH

💘 OpenAI will retire GPT-4o and all of its variants in ChatGPT starting February 13, as usage shifts almost entirely to GPT-5.2.

💘 Apple is exploring a flip-style foldable iPhone, potentially adding a clamshell form factor to its future iPhone lineup.

💘 Apple dropped plans to integrate Anthropic’s Claude into Siri after the startup reportedly demanded multi-billion-dollar annual fees, opting instead for a cheaper deal with Google.

@durovs_code

☕️ Durov vs Zuckerberg

Pavel Durov recalled a 2004 exchange in which Mark Zuckerberg mocked people for trusting Facebook with their personal data.

What that remark was, and why Durov brought it up now, explained in our piece:

↖️ https://durovscode.com/durov-vs-zuckerbergs-whatsapp

😀 Grok picked WhatsApp

Following Pavel Durov’s post criticizing Mark Zuckerberg, an X user asked Grok to compare WhatsApp and Telegram.

Elon Musk’s chatbot replied that both are strong platforms and that which one is “better” depends on user needs:

“WhatsApp (3B+ users) offers default end-to-end encryption, reliable calls, and simplicity. Telegram (1B users) excels in features like large groups, channels, and bots, with encryption in secret chats.”

However, Grok added that “if privacy is key”, users should choose WhatsApp.

Previously, Durov’s Code reported exclusively on why the planned Telegram and Grok integration did not proceed.

↖️ https://durovscode.com/why-telegram-grok-no-deal

😏 Joining forces

Elon Musk confirmed active talks to merge SpaceX and xAI, as the AI company’s development → is reportedly costing around $1 billion per month and requires significant funding.

@durovs_code

🤔 So this is you

A well-known insider has revealed → new details about Apple’s first foldable smartphone, offering a closer look at what the long-rumored iPhone Fold could look like.

@durovs_code

⚡️ French authorities search X’s Paris office

French law enforcement officers conducted → searches at X’s Paris office. The operation was led by the cybercrime unit of the Paris prosecutor’s office.

Pavel Durov criticized the move, writing:

"French police is currently raiding X’s office in Paris. France is the only country in the world that is criminally persecuting all social networks that give people some degree of freedom (Telegram, X, TikTok…). Don’t be mistaken: this is not a free country."

@durovs_code

🤐 Summoned to Paris

French prosecutors have issued summonses → to X owner Elon Musk and former CEO Linda Yaccarino. The questioning is scheduled for April 20, 2026.

@durovs_code

💅 Now that’s a growth strategy

The Washington Post reports that Elon Musk deliberately loosened → safety controls at xAI, reducing moderation around sexualised content.

According to the investigation, generating explicit content in Grok became part of a broader user retention strategy.

@durovs_code

😆 Who’s next?

After France, Spain and Greece are moving toward restrictions on teenagers’ access to social media.

Which countries are joining the trend and how far they are willing to go:

↖️ https://durovscode.com/countries-banning-social-media-for-children-2026

🤩 You can never have too many gifts

Nearly 200 calendar NFTs suddenly appeared on Pavel Durov’s account, all reportedly purchased on the secondary market.

💘 The move triggered an immediate price spike. Within an hour, the floor price jumped from 3.5 TON to nearly 6 TON across marketplaces. In total, just over 342,000 of these calendar collectibles exist.

💘 Users speculate the buying spree may be linked to an upcoming Telegram update that could introduce a “gift crafting” feature, allowing older gifts to be combined into new ones.
We break down how gift crafting could work:

↖️ https://durovscode.com/telegram-gift-crafting-coming

🦅 Royal Pavo, Hot Chick and Zombie Rider

Telegram has rolled out upgrades for the Rare Bird collection, which originally sold for 5,000 Stars.

💘 When the 15,000-piece drop launched last July, it sold out in just one minute.

💘 Most of the designs lean into a flashy, high-end aesthetic, though a few playful meme-inspired variants made it into the lineup.

Several other Telegram gift collections are still awaiting upgrades.

@durovs_code

☕️ Haven’t we seen this before?

According to French politician Florian Philippot, Elon Musk risks → facing the same fate as Pavel Durov if he travels to France. He claims French authorities would detain the X owner immediately upon arrival.

@durovs_code

😏 Counterpunch

The legal battle between OpenAI and xAI is gaining momentum, with Altman’s company now accusing Musk’s AI venture of destroying → evidence during the court proceedings.

@durovs_code

🕹 Finally

GTA VI is set to launch → on November 19 this year, with both digital and physical editions releasing on the same day.

@durovs_code

🍏 So… which one do you actually buy?

Apple refreshes its lineup every year, and somehow choosing the right iPhone only gets harder. We broke down which model makes the most sense in 2026 → and spoiler: it’s neither the newest nor the most expensive.

@durovs_code

🦴 Rejoice?

Google confirmed → that AirDrop interoperability is expanding beyond Pixel.

Quick Share’s support for Apple’s proprietary protocol will roll out to more Android devices in 2026.

@durovs_code

😽 Back to labels

Pavel Durov accused French media of xenophobia, singling out Le Figaro for referring to him as “Le Russe” in its coverage → a label meaning “the Russian.”

@durovs_code

😆 Just one more scroll

The European Commission has told TikTok → to change what it calls the platform’s “addictive” design.

According to the EU’s preliminary findings, TikTok’s interface may breach the Digital Services Act.

@durovs_code