Australian watchdog files legal action against Telegram, saying it failed to remove violent content

Australia's online safety watchdog, the eSafety Commissioner, has filed legal action against messaging app Telegram in the Australian Federal Court. The watchdog alleges that Telegram failed to remove extremist content, including videos of mass shootings in Buffalo, New York, and Christchurch, New Zealand, as well as Islamic State beheadings. This action is a test of Australia's 2021 law requiring tech platforms to remove illegal and pro-terrorism material. Telegram denies the claims and will contest them in court. The platform faces a potential fine of up to 54.6 million Australian dollars if convicted. The eSafety Commissioner stated that Telegram remained non-responsive to requests to remove such content until after the arrest of its CEO, Pavel Durov, by French authorities.

Australia's eSafety commissioner is taking legal action against Telegram for allegedly failing to remove "pro-terror" material, including video of the Christchurch shootings. The platform faces a potential fine of up to A$54.6 million for not meeting its safety obligations under the Online Safety Act. The commissioner stated that Telegram left content linked to extremist violence online long after being notified. This action follows inquiries that began in March 2024, with the commissioner citing five months of unresponsiveness from Telegram before the platform began engaging, though it allegedly retained a permissive environment for extremist content. Telegram has stated it rejects the allegations and will contest them in court.