diff --git a/.env.example b/.env.example
index d8604d2..ad1845b 100644
--- a/.env.example
+++ b/.env.example
@@ -2,8 +2,8 @@ ADMIN_IDS=YOUR_TELEGRAM_USER_ID
 AFFILIATE_SOURCE=GambleCodez
 ANNOUNCE_CHANNEL="-1002648883359"
 BOTPRIVACYMODE="disabled"
-# BOT_PRIVACY_MODE=private|public — controls whether bot receives all group messages.
-BOT_PRIVACY_MODE=private
+# BOT_PRIVACY_MODE="disabled" in BotFather/non-privacy mode so bot can read group messages.
+BOT_PRIVACY_MODE="disabled"
 BOT_TOKEN=
 DEVICE=vps
 DISCORD_CODE_GENERATION_IMAGE_URL=https://raw.githubusercontent.com/gamblecodezcom/Runewager/main/images/discord_code_generation.png
diff --git a/RUNEWAGER_FUNCTIONALITY_MAP.md b/RUNEWAGER_FUNCTIONALITY_MAP.md
index cc1d183..e197dad 100644
--- a/RUNEWAGER_FUNCTIONALITY_MAP.md
+++ b/RUNEWAGER_FUNCTIONALITY_MAP.md
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ Notes:
 ## 14. Permissions & Access Control
 
 - Admin identity is based on `ADMIN_IDS` env list.
-- `.env.example` documents both `BOT_PRIVACY_MODE` and compatibility `BOTPRIVACYMODE`, plus Telegram/HTTPS/discovery keys used by runtime checks.
+- `.env.example` documents both `BOT_PRIVACY_MODE="disabled"` (BotFather non-privacy mode) and compatibility `BOTPRIVACYMODE`, plus Telegram/HTTPS/discovery keys used by runtime checks.
 - `requireAdmin(ctx)` gates command/callback execution.
 - Admin mode UI toggle changes visibility of admin UI, not true authorization.
 - Group approvals list controls where certain broadcast/group operations target.
diff --git a/index.js b/index.js
index 80a53e7..c9314d7 100644
--- a/index.js
+++ b/index.js
@@ -105,6 +105,7 @@ const PROMO_REQUIREMENT = {
 const TELEGRAM_CHANNEL_ID = process.env.TELEGRAM_CHANNEL_ID || process.env.ANNOUNCE_CHANNEL || '';
 const TELEGRAM_GROUP_ID = process.env.TELEGRAM_GROUP_ID || '';
 const ANNOUNCE_CHANNEL = TELEGRAM_CHANNEL_ID;
+const BOT_PRIVACY_MODE = String(process.env.BOT_PRIVACY_MODE || process.env.BOTPRIVACYMODE || '').trim().toLowerCase();
 
 // Group chat_id for automatic Content Drops
 const TIPS_GROUP = process.env.TIPS_GROUP || TELEGRAM_GROUP_ID || '';
@@ -12522,6 +12523,8 @@ bot.command('testall', async (ctx) => {
   else fail('Configuration', 'ADMIN_IDS', 'No admin IDs configured');
   if (BOT_TOKEN && BOT_TOKEN.length > 10) pass('Configuration', 'BOT_TOKEN');
   else fail('Configuration', 'BOT_TOKEN', 'Missing or too short');
+  if (BOT_PRIVACY_MODE === 'disabled') pass('Environment Checks', 'BOT_PRIVACY_MODE=disabled');
+  else fail('Environment Checks', 'BOT_PRIVACY_MODE=disabled', `Expected "disabled" for group visibility, got: ${BOT_PRIVACY_MODE || 'unset'}`);
   for (const [key, expected] of [['miniAppPlay', 't.me/RuneWager_bot/Play'], ['miniAppProfile', 't.me/RuneWager_bot/profile'], ['miniAppClaim', 't.me/RuneWager_bot/claim']]) {
     if (LINKS[key] && LINKS[key].includes(expected)) pass('Configuration', `miniApp_link.${key}`);
     else fail('Configuration', `miniApp_link.${key}`, `Expected ${expected}, got: ${LINKS[key]}`);
@@ -13396,7 +13399,7 @@ bot.command('list_groups', safeAdminHandler('list_groups', { usage: '/list_group
         `  Bot admin: ${isAdmin ? 'YES' : 'NO'}`,
         `  Missing permissions: ${missing.length ? missing.join(', ') : 'none'}`,
         '  Recommended BotFather: disable privacy mode if group message visibility is required.',
-        `  Privacy mode: ${process.env.BOT_PRIVACY_MODE || 'unknown (check @BotFather)'}`,
+        `  Privacy mode: ${BOT_PRIVACY_MODE || 'unknown (check @BotFather)'}`,
       ].join('\n'));
     } catch (e) {
       report.push(`\n• ${chatId}\n  Error: ${e.message}`);