Australia's eSafety Commissioner has filed a lawsuit against Telegram, seeking up to $38 million in penalties over extremist content.
Summary
- Australia's eSafety Commissioner has launched legal proceedings against Telegram, seeking penalties of up to A$54.6 million (around $38 million).
- The regulator may also request a court order to suspend Telegram's operations in Australia, a measure it has not yet used.
- Telegram has denied the allegations and plans to defend itself in court.
The Australian eSafety Commissioner has initiated a civil lawsuit against Telegram concerning the platform's handling of extremist content, with potential fines reaching A$54.6 million (approximately $38 million). The commissioner has indicated that they might ask the court to cease Telegram's operations in the country.
This legal action, filed in the Federal Court, follows a year-long investigation into Telegram's management of pro-terror material, including the live streaming of the 2019 Christchurch mosque shooting and the 2022 Buffalo supermarket attack, which remained accessible for nearly three months. The complaint highlights that Telegram's terms of service do not adequately prohibit such content.
Julie Inman Grant, the eSafety Commissioner, criticized Telegram for creating a "permissive environment" that allows extremist content to thrive, which she claims could "desensitize, normalize, and sometimes radicalize" users. She added that Telegram has been used for planning attacks.
Inman Grant noted that while licensing is not required for platforms in Australia, the eSafety office could request a court to suspend Telegram's service—an authority they have not previously exercised. She referenced a nearly $1 million infringement notice issued to Telegram last year for its delayed response to inquiries about terrorist and child exploitation content, which Telegram deemed "unfair and disproportionate" and intends to appeal.
Wider Implications
This lawsuit aligns with escalating legal challenges for Telegram globally. In Russia, founder Pavel Durov faces terrorism charges and has been placed on an international wanted list for not removing channels linked to extremist groups. He could face a life sentence if convicted. Durov was also indicted in France in 2024 for serious offenses, including drug trafficking and distributing child sexual abuse material, but he maintains his innocence, labeling the accusations as "legally and logically absurd."
A Telegram spokesperson stated that the platform's extensive anti-terrorism measures are well-documented and reiterated their intention to contest the allegations in court.
This legal challenge tests the effectiveness of Australia’s 2021 legislation aimed at eliminating pro-terror content from online platforms, amidst recent efforts to restrict social media access for users under 16, an initiative led by Inman Grant.
