In brief
Australia has announced legal action against Telegram, citing the platform's failure to remove extremist and pro‑terror content such as the Christchurch mosque shooting and Buffalo shooting videos. The eSafety regulator warns that such content may desensitise, normalise or radicalise users and would be used for planning attacks. Telegram has denied insufficient moderation and its founder has faced investigations in Russia and France for similar issues. The regulator previously fined the platform a million Australian dollars for delayed response to child‑abuse inquiries.
Australia faces legal action after the eSafety regulator accused Telegram of failing to remove extremist content.
The eSafety commissioner, Julie Inman‑Grant, led a probe that found video footage of the 2019 Christchurch mosque attack and the July 2022 Buffalo shooting still available on the platform months after notice was given.
Under the Online Safety Act, regulators say the messenger app could be fined up to A$54.6 million if it does not act. The claim also risks a court order that would require Telegram to cease operation in Australia.
Telegram has denied the allegations citing robust moderation, while its founder, Pavel Durov, faces investigations in Russia for facilitating terrorism and in France for allegedly failing to monitor criminal activity.
Earlier this year, Australia fined Telegram A$1 million for slow response to child‑abuse inquiries. The case underscores growing pressure on social media platforms to meet national safety obligations.
