Telegram launches rich text formatting for bots and AI moderators for groups

Telegram has rolled out a major update that introduces rich text formatting for bots, the ability to assign AI bots as group administrators, support for links inside poll options, and a long list of smaller refinements.

Rich text formatting for bots

Bots can now respond using what Telegram is calling "obscenely rich text formatting." The company's press release leans into the joke, even taking a swipe at regulators:

If you manage to get a bot's attention, it can now respond with rich text — so rich you'll want to start a riot and demand to tax it.

The formatting options now available to bots include text styles, tables, quotes, task lists, image embeds, and what Telegram describes as "the weird sh#t you need to spell Elon's son's name, and oh so much more."

"Bots can also pack a LOT of this stuff into one message — up to 32,768 characters now, with a merciful Show More button after the first 8,000 or so."

AI bots as group administrators

Users can now appoint AI bots as group administrators and hand over the task of processing requests to join. According to Telegram, AI bots can also "smite the unrighteous who post in the chat" when needed.

"AI Guardians can use flexible mini-app interfaces to screen new applicants — like finally making people pass an IQ test before posting comments."

Links inside poll options

Telegram has also added the ability to attach links to individual poll options, giving creators a way to provide additional context for each choice.

Markdown file support

The built-in Telegram browser now supports Markdown files in the .md format, displaying the formatted text directly inside the app.

We simply couldn't rest until a billion-plus Telegram users, mothers and fathers, grandmas and grandpas, and other demographics could open their .md files and view the Markdown properly.

Quick browser selection

A long press on any link will now let users choose which browser to open it in, regardless of their default settings.

"Now you can easily choose a different browser from your default when you long press a link — no more copy-pasting links or switching apps."

The update also includes several related changes:

On both Android and iOS, users can now whitelist specific websites to always open in a particular browser, or to always avoid the in-app browser entirely.
The built-in Telegram browser does not save browsing history. The company says that any "course research" and "homework assignments" are kept fully private.