You provide your mobile number and basic account data (which may include profile name, profile picture and about information) to create a Telegram account.</p> <p>To make it easier for your contacts and other people to reach you and recognize who you are, the screen name you choose, your profile pictures, and your <a href="https://telegram.org/faq#usernames-and-t-me">username</a> (should you choose to set one) on Telegram are always public. We don't want to know your real name, gender, age or what you like.</p> <p>