Australia Sues Telegram Over Alleged Failure to Remove Terror Content

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner has filed civil penalty proceedings against Telegram in the Federal Court, alleging the platform failed to detect and remove pro-terror material, including videos of terrorist executions and mass shootings.

The regulator opened the case after a year-long investigation. Telegram could face penalties of up to 54.6 million Australian dollars, roughly $38 million, for failing to comply with Australia’s codes and standards.

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What eSafety Alleges Against Telegram

According to the press release, Telegram allegedly left publicly posted pro-terror material online for up to 3 weeks after Australian users reported it. 

The regulator also alleges the platform failed to detect known footage of the 2019 Christchurch mosque shooting and the 2022 Buffalo mass shooting. That material remained on Telegram for nearly 3 months before being removed.

eSafety further claims Telegram’s Terms of Service did not prohibit pro-terror material across all parts of the app. The platform also allegedly failed to inform complainants about the outcome of their reports.

“This case concerns content linked to some of the most notorious acts of known extremist violence in recent history, including material associated with the Christchurch and Buffalo terror attacks. We allege that this content remained accessible on the service long after Telegram had been put on notice,” eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said.

Inman Grant said Australians visit Telegram 1.5 million times a month on average. The platform reports more than 1 billion users worldwide and offers groups of up to 200,000 members.

“Telegram has a responsibility to take reasonable steps to prevent the hosting, sharing, amplification and monetisation of this harmful material,” she added.

Telegram denied the claims in a statement and said its anti-terrorism efforts are well-documented.

“We reject these allegations and will contest them in court,” a Telegram spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, the lawsuit adds to mounting legal pressure on the messaging app. Russia recently charged founder Pavel Durov with facilitating terrorist activity. 

However, Durov claimed Russia acted against him because Telegram refused to comply with its demands for mass surveillance and censorship. French authorities also arrested Durov in August 2024.

Whether the Federal Court imposes the maximum penalty may signal how aggressively Australia will enforce its online safety standards against global platforms.

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