Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Launches $50K Contest to Outshine WhatsApp
Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, has escalated his rivalry with Meta’s WhatsApp, labeling it a "cheap copycat" and alleging smear campaigns against his platform. The accusations coincide with Telegram’s announcement of a $50,000 competition to demonstrate its messaging superiority, running from May 15 to May 26.
Durov positioned Telegram as the innovator in the space, claiming WhatsApp users receive delayed iterations of features Telegram pioneered years ago. "It’s time to wake WhatsApp users," he declared, framing the contest as a catalyst to shift public perception toward Telegram’s role as a messaging trendsetter.