You should be using Signal on a phone if you're trying to use a secure messenger.
I am not trying to use a secure messenger. I am trying to use a good one without ratting on my friends to the worst (as in size x badness) company I am aware of. Ohh, and I don't want to be be part of their network effect either.)
All reasonable views, but I don't think that's a Telegram given their track record. At this point I'd put more trust in a transport-encrypted-without-end-to-end messenger than Telegram, and there are plenty of good options in that space (e.g. Discord, or hell, AIM). And if you want genuine security there are good decentralised options: XMPP (Conversations et al), Riot/Matrix, possibly Wire.
I am not trying to use a secure messenger. I am trying to use a good one without ratting on my friends to the worst (as in size x badness) company I am aware of. Ohh, and I don't want to be be part of their network effect either.)