Can you please tell me what settings get auto re-enabled? I use Telegram as my primary messenger app. I just want to make a more informed decision if I should switch to Signal or something.
Yes
Some of us aren't paranoid and don't care, and instead just enjoy a messenger that works and doesn't throw bullshit limitations at you.
If you want to vomit your entire digital social life to some random company in Dubai and to every party who hacks their servers, you do you.
Telegram also allows to delete any chat in one click. Telegram has support for HTTP, SOCKS, MTPROTO and WEB proxies to evade censorship, Western messengers do not. Telegram is written in C++. Although it is a piece of proprietary garbage and might be connected to the government, at least it is well made piece.
Also it became difficult to register in Telegram, it often asks for 1 euro when trying to register with a fake number. And with a real number the OTP code simply doesn't get delivered to Russia.
Well, most of those apps try to inject themselves in between you and the rest of the world, by "helpfully" offering to be your SMS handler and phone call replacement.
No thanks.
And no, Signal is not inferior. If you are really concerned about the phone number issue, use a burner eSIM or purchase a Signal account. Last time I checked though, payment was tied to Apple/Google, inexplicably.