The Hidden Threat, or Files from Messengers.
You have probably noticed that some messengers first download videos to your device and save them in a folder specified in the settings. For example, this is how Telegram works on desktop operating systems, by default saving all videos in a folder called Telegram Desktop, created in the "Downloads".
Users accustomed to YouTube and social networks often find it surprising to discover viewed videos in their Telegram downloads folder. Telegram indeed works differently, fully downloading the video to your hard drive and then playing it from there.
I am not even mentioning the files that you download in Telegram—they end up in the same folder as the videos you have viewed.
I hope you understand that any viewed illegal content, of which there is plenty in Telegram, will be saved on your device and, if the device falls into the hands of law enforcement, it can lead to undesirable consequences.
The problem is that you might even stop watching the content right away or not watch it at all and certainly have no intention of keeping it. Yes, we do not live in China, where forensic analysis, according to media reports, is conducted right on the streets as part of routine inspections. But at customs, with a demand to provide a password, or what is fashionably called a digital inspection, you can encounter this in several democratic countries, such as Australia, New Zealand, and the USA.
In some countries, such as the United Kingdom, refusal to provide a password may be considered by the court as an admission of guilt and can lead to punishment up to imprisonment.
We have already discussed the threat of planting digital evidence, in this case, the user independently downloads content that violates the law. This can set up a conversation partner by sending them prohibited videos, which will remain on their device after downloading.
I see two solutions to this problem, each with its own pros and cons.
Changing File Saving Settings
Telegram users can solve the problem of saving viewed videos by changing the storage location of files to a temporary folder. This folder will be created for the duration of the session, after which the files will be deleted.