The claim: Bill Gates purchased the messaging app Telegram When it comes to being the target of viral misinformation, Bill Gates is a frequent flyer. Now, social media users have falsely claimed Gates purchased Telegram, a popular messaging app among far-right extremists, to accuse Gates of censorship. “Bill Gates has just purchased the Telegram app in order to retain control of what information people can share, think and research,” reads an image posted to Facebook on April 6. The image appears to be a screenshot of another Facebook post, although the original poster’s name and the post date are obstructed. The post also includes an image of a Fox News report with correspondent Trace Gallagher and an altered chyron that reads “600 MILLION DOLLARS DEAL BILL GATES BUYS TELEGRAM.”