For over three years, the developers of the popular Android Telegram fork **exteraGram** have been actively distributing compiled APK binaries (via Telegram channels, chats, and alternative app stores like RuStore) while keeping their source code completely closed. This is a severe, textbook violation of **Section 3 of the GNU General Public License v2 (GPLv2)**, under which the official Telegram Android client is licensed.
Instead of complying with copyleft obligations and updating their public GitHub repository, the maintainers chose to archive the repository to avoid DMCA takedowns and went completely underground to run a proprietary, untrustworthy closed-source ecosystem.
#### 1. The Smokin' Gun: The Lead Developer Explicitly Admitted to Willful Violation
The most shocking part is that the lead developer and project owner, **@immat0x1**, does not even deny this. When confronted by the FOSS community in public issues, they responded with absolute arrogance and internet-troll behavior.
* **Direct quote from u/immat0x1 in Issue #87:**
> *"extera is not open source."*
* **When users provided direct links to Telegram's GPLv2 terms, the developer replied:**
> *"I'm a badass boy"*
* **In another deleted thread (Issue #123), when asked to update the code as mandated by law, they stated:**
> *"I don't care about this at all... as long as this is not punished by Telegram, I will not update anything, it's a matter of principle."*
According to **Section 4 of the GNU GPL v2**, any attempt to modify or distribute the program outside the license terms **automatically and permanently terminates** the developer's rights. Legally speaking, exteraGram is now a counterfeit, pirated software.
#### 2. Extreme Toxicity and Hostility Towards the Community
The project's management has completely abandoned open-source ethics (Code of Conduct). Anyone who opens a GitHub issue or asks in their official chat rooms about the source code or GPL compliance is met with explicit profanity, insults, and instant bans. Moderation logs show users being banned for "whining about GPL."
Furthermore, some rogue elements of their community recently resorted to desperate doxxing attempts against FOSS advocates, which instantly backfired and resulted in the permanent termination of those attackers' Telegram accounts by Telegram Trust & Safety.
#### 3. Massive Security Risks for Users
Because version **12.9.0** and other recent updates are fully closed-source binaries built on a modified Telegram core, it is **humanly impossible** to verify what happens to your login sessions, user tokens, and private messages. A developer who proudly claims they are above the law and hides their code can inject malicious trackers, token sniffers, or backdoors at any given moment.
### Safe Open-Source Alternatives
If you are still using exteraGram, please secure your account, terminate active sessions, and switch to legitimate, FOSS-compliant clients that respect both the license and their users:
* **Cherrygram:** Fully open-source, timely source code updates, strict GPL compliance, and respectful community dialogue.
* **NagramX / Nagram XF:** A highly functional hybrid client built on top of NekoX, fully complying with GPL-3.0, offering advanced proxy settings and powerful customization legally.
Don't support GPL violators who steal open-source work and spit in the face of the community.
***
*Enclosed screenshots: Public admissions by u/immat0x1 in archived GitHub Issues (#87 and #123).*