Bots in groups: privacy mode and admin rights
What it is
Privacy mode is on for every bot by default. In a group the bot then gets only commands meant for it (`/command@your_bot`), general commands like /start if it was the last bot to post there, messages sent through it inline, replies to its messages and service messages. A bot that is a group admin gets all messages; its rights decide what it may do.
How to do it
- Check: in the group's member list, the bot shows "has no access to messages" (privacy mode) or "has access to messages".
- Make a bot an admin: - iOS: tap the group photo › Edit › Administrators › Add Admin. - Android: tap the group name › pencil icon › Administrators › Add Administrator. - Desktop: … in the top right › Manage group › Administrators › Add Administrator.
Pick the bot and switch on only the rights it needs.
3. Your own bot: send /setprivacy to @BotFather, pick the bot and turn privacy mode off. Then remove the bot from the group and add it back, or the change won't apply.
Watch out
- Telegram advises turning privacy mode off only when truly needed; usually a force-reply message is enough.
- Approving join requests needs the right to invite users.
- Telegram's FAQ: keep bots you don't trust 100% out of groups with sensitive information.
With Gem
In @gembot tap /myprojects › Chats › + Group and pick the group: Telegram adds @gembot as an admin with the rights it needs, and Gem checks them and makes a join-request link. Per group: answers on, only when mentioned, or off.
Sources
- https://core.telegram.org/bots/features#privacy-mode
- https://telegram.org/faq#q-can-i-assign-administrators
- https://core.telegram.org/bots/faq
- https://core.telegram.org/bots/api#approvechatjoinrequest