Australia has aimed to regulate operations of various online platforms following the filing of civil penalty proceedings against Telegram. This case represents regulatory measures by states that are increasingly applying pressure to ensure that major messaging platforms regulate themselves to prevent the spread of extremist materials through their platforms. Civil penalty proceedings against Telegram were filed by the Australian eSafety Commissioner in the Federal Court. Because Telegram had not met the obligations set out in the Online Safety Act.
According to regulators, Telegram had not done enough after getting complaints from many people concerning prohibited extremist materials. This case is another international effort to regulate digital platforms carrying harmful and illegal content online. Telegram has more than one billion users around the world.
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner launched legal action after completing a year-long investigation into Telegram’s content moderation practices. The regulator alleged Telegram failed to remove unlawful extremist material after receiving user reports, with some content remaining online for nearly three weeks. Authorities also claimed the platform failed to prevent repeated violations by allowing certain accounts, channels, and groups to continue operating.
The investigation further alleged Telegram did not proactively detect known terrorist content, including footage from the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks and the 2022 Buffalo mass shooting. Australian authorities are seeking financial penalties of up to 54.6 million Australian dollars under the Online Safety Act. Telegram has not issued an official response, although its X account posted a video captioned “freedom of expression.”
Australia’s legal action adds to growing international scrutiny surrounding Telegram and its founder, Pavel Durov. Russia recently charged Durov with facilitating terrorist activity and began procedures to place him on an international wanted list, alleging Telegram failed to remove channels, chats, and bots used for attacks, recruitment, and cyber fraud. Telegram has not formally responded to those allegations, although its official social media account shared an image of Durov making a profane gesture.
Meanwhile, French authorities continue investigating Durov over allegations that Telegram failed to adequately address illegal content and cooperate with law enforcement. Durov has repeatedly defended online privacy and free expression, arguing governments increasingly threaten internet freedoms through expanding regulatory control over digital communications.
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