Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about setting up and using Telemod to protect your Telegram group.

What admin rights does the Telemod bot need?

The bot requires two permissions: Delete Messages and Ban Users (Restrict Members). Without these it cannot remove spam or block rule-breakers. It does not need rights to change group info, pin messages, or add members — keep those with your human admins.

How do I set up Telemod step by step?

Step 1 — Open Telegram and search for the Telemod bot. Step 2 — Add it to your group as an administrator with Delete Messages and Ban Users rights. Step 3 — Open the web dashboard (telemod.xyz), sign in with Telegram and select your group. Step 4 — Choose a protection preset (Standard or Strict) or configure filters manually. Step 5 — Enable captcha for new members. Protection is active immediately.

Can I use Telemod in multiple groups?

Yes. The free plan lets you connect up to 3 groups. The Silver plan ($3/month) covers up to 7 groups and the Gold plan ($7/month) covers up to 15 groups. All groups are managed from a single web dashboard.

What is the difference between Silver and Gold plans?

Free plan: up to 3 groups, basic anti-spam, captcha and word filter. Silver ($3/month): up to 7 groups, advanced triggers, moderation log export, priority support. Gold ($7/month): up to 15 groups, AI moderation (OpenAI/Gemini with your own API key), federation (/fban across all groups), analytics dashboard. See the full comparison at telemod.xyz/pricing.

How does anti-raid protection work?

Anti-raid mode activates automatically when an unusually high number of accounts join the group within a short time window (configurable threshold). In raid mode the bot switches captcha to strict (failure = immediate ban), mutes all new joins, and can temporarily pause incoming join requests. You can also trigger strict mode manually from the dashboard. When the attack subsides, switch back to the Standard preset.

What is the word filter and how do I configure it?

The word filter scans every message for banned words, phrases or regex patterns. When a match is found the bot can delete the message, warn the user, mute or ban them — you choose the action per rule. The filter uses Unicode-aware boundary detection so partial matches inside other words are not flagged (e.g. "class" is not flagged when the banned word is "ass"). Configure it in Dashboard → your group → Filters → Word Filter.

How does AI moderation work technically?

AI moderation (Gold plan) sends each message to OpenAI GPT or Google Gemini using your own API key — Telemod never stores your key. You describe your group rules in plain language ("no politics, no competitor links, no insults"). The AI reads every message in context and applies the action you set (delete / warn / mute). It also analyses images. Telemod does not use a shared AI key; cost depends on your usage of the AI provider.

Is my data secure? Where are the servers?

Telemod servers are located in the Netherlands (EU) and are fully GDPR-compliant. Message content is processed in real time and is not stored permanently. Admin settings, group configurations and moderation logs are stored securely and are accessible only to authorised admins of that group. Your AI API key is never logged or shared.

Can I export moderation logs?

Yes. Silver and Gold plan subscribers can export the moderation log for any group as a CSV file from Dashboard → your group → Moderation Log → Export. The log includes timestamp, user ID, action type, triggered rule and the moderating admin (bot or human).

What is federation and how does /fban work?

Federation (Gold plan) lets you link multiple groups into one shared ban list. When you run /fban @username in any group, that user is banned across all groups in your federation simultaneously. This is useful for networks of communities (crypto projects, media brands) where the same bad actors appear in multiple chats. Manage federations in Dashboard → Federations.

How do I cancel my subscription?

Go to Dashboard → Account → Billing → Cancel Subscription. Your plan remains active until the end of the current billing period. No automatic renewal occurs after cancellation. The bot continues on the free plan limits after the paid period ends — it does not leave your groups.

Is there an API for developers?

A public REST API is on the roadmap. Currently Telemod does not offer a public API. If you have an integration use case, contact support through the dashboard — priority integrations are considered for Gold plan subscribers.