What is the difference between a regular chat and a Secret Chat on Telegram?

Telegram offers both regular chats and Secret Chats, each with its own set of features and security measures:

1. **Regular Chats**:
   - Regular chats on Telegram are the standard conversations you have with other users.
   - Messages sent in regular chats are stored on Telegram's servers and can be accessed from any device where you are logged in.
   - While messages in regular chats are encrypted in transit, they are stored in Telegram's cloud servers, which means they are potentially accessible to Telegram itself (though they claim not to access user data).
   - Regular chats support features like sending text messages, files, images, videos, stickers, and voice messages.
   - You can also create group chats in the regular chat mode.

2. **Secret Chats**:
   - Secret Chats offer an additional layer of security and privacy.
   - Messages sent in Secret Chats are end-to-end encrypted, meaning only the sender and recipient can read them. Telegram cannot decrypt or access these messages, as they are not stored on Telegram's servers.
   - Secret Chats also support self-destructing messages, where you can set a timer for messages to disappear from both devices after a certain period.
   - Secret Chats don't support features like forwarding messages, saving media, or taking screenshots within the chat. Telegram also notifies users if someone takes a screenshot in a Secret Chat.
   - Secret Chats are device-specific, meaning you can only access them on the device where the chat was initiated.
   - Additionally, users can verify the encryption key of a Secret Chat to ensure security.

In summary, while regular chats are convenient for everyday conversations and support a wide range of features, Secret Chats provide enhanced privacy and security measures, making them ideal for sensitive or confidential conversations.