Telegram Premium is a subscription to get exclusive features on Telegram such as 4GB upload limit, audio to text transcription support, premium stickers, no ads and more at a price starting at RM16.90. Recently, Telegram has introduced a Peer-to-Peer Login (P2PL) program for users to get this subscription for free.
What's scary about P2PL is, you have to "sacrifice" your own phone number to allow Telegram to use it to send 150 login OTPs every month. If the monthly OTP quota is reached, users who join the program will receive a month's subscription for free. Those who receive the OTP from your phone number can also view and reply to the message if anyone has the intention to spam or harass others.
Telegram has issued a statement and conditions of the P2PL program so that users do not respond to OTP messages and they will not be responsible if any difficulties occur. This P2PL program is for Telegram to save the cost of sending OTP SMS because they don't have to pay charges per SMS. On the other hand, users who have to bear the cost of SMS if charged by their respective telco plan.