Telegram Under Legal Scrutiny in Australia Over Terror-Related Content

Potential fines of up to $38 million loom for non-compliance with safety regulations.

The Australian government has initiated legal proceedings against Telegram, citing the platform's failure to remove extremist content, including footage from the 2019 Christchurch mosque shooting that resulted in 51 deaths. The case, brought under the Online Safety Act, could result in fines totaling as much as $38 million.

Julie Inman-Grant, Australia's Safety Commissioner, emphasized the seriousness of the case, which involves materials linked to significant acts of extremist violence, including the Christchurch and Buffalo attacks. She stated, "This case concerns content linked to some of the most notorious acts of known extremist violence in recent history."

In response, Telegram has pushed back against these allegations, asserting that it has implemented thorough counter-terrorism measures and intends to contest the claims in court. A representative from the platform highlighted that they have blocked thousands of extremist channels in 2026 alone.

This legal scrutiny comes at a tumultuous time for Telegram's founder, Pavel Durov, who is also facing terrorism-related charges in Russia. The Russian authorities allege that Durov facilitated terrorism by allowing the platform's use by Ukrainian intelligence for recruitment. Durov is currently on Russia's wanted list and has previously been investigated in France for inadequate content moderation.

Despite these challenges, Telegram remains a central hub for various discussions, including cryptocurrency, trading, and blockchain projects, although it did not provide additional comments following the legal developments in Australia.