Australia's eSafety Commissioner is suing Telegram for up to $38 million, alleging the platform failed to remove pro-terror content, including videos of the Christchurch and Buffalo attacks, in breach of the Online Safety Act. Telegram will contest the charges. The lawsuit comes as founder Pavel Durov faces separate terrorism charges in Russia and an ongoing investigation in France, highlighting intensifying global pressure on the platform's moderation policies.
Australia lawsuit against Telegram
- ▪In February 2025, the regulator issued Telegram an infringement notice for nearly $1 million over a five-month delay in answering questions
- ▪A Telegram spokesperson stated the company rejects the allegations and will contest them in court
- ▪eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant stated the regulator could ask a court to shut down Telegram's service in Australia, a power it has never used
- ▪The lawsuit seeks a potential fine of up to A$54.6 million ($38 million) for alleged breaches of Australia's Online Safety Act
- ▪Australia's eSafety Commissioner filed civil penalty proceedings against Telegram in the Federal Court
Alleged content moderation failures
- ▪The lawsuit alleges Telegram failed to remove "pro-terror material," including video of the March 2019 Christchurch mosque shooting
- ▪The eSafety Commissioner also alleged Telegram's terms of service did not prohibit pro-terror material across all parts of the app
- ▪The case also concerns material from the 2022 Buffalo supermarket attack, which allegedly remained on Telegram for nearly three months
- ▪A year-long investigation by the eSafety Commissioner found that some reported unlawful content remained visible on Telegram for up to three weeks
Russia criminal charges
- ▪Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) charged Telegram founder Pavel Durov with aiding terrorism one day before the Australian lawsuit was filed
- ▪The FSB has begun procedures to place Pavel Durov on an international wanted list
- ▪Russian authorities allege Telegram failed to remove channels used by Ukrainian intelligence services to recruit operatives and coordinate attacks
- ▪Pavel Durov faces a potential sentence of up to life in prison if convicted on the Russian charges
France investigation
- ▪Telegram founder Pavel Durov was arrested in France in August 2024 and placed under investigation
- ▪Pavel Durov was released from custody under judicial supervision, though the French investigation is ongoing
- ▪The French investigation concerns alleged failures to moderate content related to drug trafficking, organized fraud, and child sexual abuse
Global platform regulation pressure
- ▪Pavel Durov, who resides in Dubai, holds dual citizenship of the United Arab Emirates and France
- ▪The Australian lawsuit tests the country's 2021 Online Safety Act, which requires platforms to remove pro-terror material
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