Australia's eSafety Commissioner has initiated legal proceedings against the messaging platform Telegram, alleging it failed to remove videos linked to major terrorist attacks despite being notified of their presence.
Australia's internet regulator has commenced legal action against Telegram, claiming the platform neglected to remove videos depicting terrorist executions and mass shootings. The eSafety Commissioner's office took the step after determining that Telegram had not complied with removal requests for material associated with significant extremist incidents, including the Christchurch and Buffalo terror attacks.
According to the eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, the disputed content remained publicly accessible on the service well after Telegram received notice of its presence. The regulator argues this represents a violation of Australia's online content codes and standards. Should the allegations prove substantiated, Telegram could face civil penalties reaching A$54.6 million (approximately $38 million USD).
Telegram, which boasts over one billion monthly active users globally, has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the legal action. The platform has gained prominence as a communications tool during Russia's military operations in Ukraine, serving numerous officials in both Moscow and Kyiv. The timing of Australia's action follows a separate development in which Russian authorities charged Telegram's founder, Pavel Durov, with facilitating terrorist activity, claiming the application enabled Ukrainian operatives to coordinate attacks within Russian territory.
Durov, a Russian-born entrepreneur, relocated from Russia in 2014 and later shifted Telegram's operations to Dubai in 2017.
