Telegram has launched a contest with a prize pool of 0,000 inviting participants to create a viral video that showcases Telegram's technological innovations compared to WhatsApp. The contest was announced on May 19, 2025, and submissions are due by May 26, 2025. It is open to global participants, with videos required to be in English and suitable for platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. The contest allows the use of AI tools and evaluates entries based on clarity, visual impact, meme potential, and virality. Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, has publicly accused WhatsApp of smear campaigns and emphasizes Telegram's commitment to privacy and political neutrality, rejecting government requests to censor political content. The contest aims to expand Telegram's user base and engage content creators by promoting its unique features, which include end-to-end encrypted chats, large group chats, bots, and advanced privacy controls. Winners will be announced in June 2025.