Telegram is facing fresh legal pressure after Australian authorities accused the messaging service of failing to remove terrorism-related material shared on its platform.
The action was filed by Australia’s eSafety Commissioner in the Federal Court, with regulators alleging that Telegram did not meet its obligations under the country’s Online Safety Act despite receiving multiple reports about extremist content.
The case marks another significant challenge for the platform, which already faces growing legal scrutiny in several countries over how it moderates harmful material.
Regulator Says Harmful Posts Stayed Online Too Long
According to Australia’s online safety watchdog, a year-long investigation found that Telegram failed to remove certain illegal content even after being alerted to its existence.
Officials claim some of the reported material remained publicly accessible for as long as three weeks after complaints were submitted.
The regulator also alleges the company did not do enough to prevent repeat violations, arguing that accounts, groups and channels linked to extremist material continued operating instead of being permanently removed.
Investigation Highlights High-Profile Violent Content
Among the examples cited by the eSafety Commissioner were videos connected to the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks and the 2022 Buffalo mass shooting.
Authorities argue that Telegram should have been able to detect and remove such known extremist material much sooner, rather than relying on reports before eventually taking action.
The regulator is seeking civil penalties, with alleged breaches of Australia’s online safety legislation carrying potential fines of up to 54.6 million Australian dollars.
Telegram Remains Silent as Court Case Begins
Telegram has not officially commented on the Australian legal proceedings.
However, shortly after news of the lawsuit emerged, the company’s official account on X shared a video accompanied by the phrase “freedom of expression,” a post many interpreted as a response to the growing criticism surrounding the platform.
The company has yet to publicly address the specific allegations raised by Australian authorities.
Pavel Durov Faces Mounting International Pressure
The Australian case comes amid an increasingly difficult legal landscape for Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov.
Russian authorities recently announced fresh legal action against the billionaire entrepreneur, accusing him of facilitating terrorist activity by allowing Telegram to be used by extremist organisations, Ukrainian intelligence operatives and cybercriminal groups.
Officials in Russia have reportedly begun the process of placing Durov on an international wanted list, adding another layer of legal uncertainty surrounding the platform.
French Investigation Continues
Durov is also continuing to face legal proceedings in France following his arrest at Le Bourget Airport in August 2024.
French prosecutors accuse him of complicity in allowing illegal content, including material linked to organised crime, to circulate through Telegram.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities examine the platform’s moderation policies.
Debate Over Safety and Free Speech Intensifies
As governments tighten oversight of major technology companies, Telegram continues to position itself as a defender of digital privacy and freedom of expression.
Durov has repeatedly warned that increasing regulation risks undermining internet freedoms, arguing that governments are steadily expanding their control over online communication.
With investigations now unfolding in Australia, Russia and France, the messaging platform finds itself at the centre of an intensifying global debate over how technology companies should balance user privacy, free speech and responsibility for harmful content shared on their services.
