TelegramScrap: A comprehensive tool for scraping Telegram data

[WhitePaper] The TelegramScrap tool provides a robust and versatile solution for extracting and analyzing data from Telegram channels and groups, addressing the increasing demand for efficient methods to study digital ecosystems. This white paper outlines the tool's development, capabilities, and applications in academic and scientific research, including studies on disinformation, political communication, and thematic patterns in online communities. Built with flexibility and user accessibility in mind, the tool allows researchers to customize scraping parameters, handle large datasets, and produce structured outputs in formats such as Excel and Parquet. Its modular architecture, real-time progress tracking, and error-handling mechanisms ensure reliability and scalability for diverse research needs. Emphasizing ethical data collection, the tool aligns with Telegram's terms of service and data privacy regulations, encouraging responsible use. Released under an open-source license, TelegramScrap invites the academic community to explore, adapt, and improve the tool while providing appropriate credit. This paper demonstrates the tool's impact through its application in multiple studies, showcasing its potential to advance computational social science and enhance understanding of digital interactions and societal trends [ Code available on GitHub: https://github.com/ergoncugler/web-scraping-telegram ].