Legal Action Launched by Australia’s Online Safety Regulator
In a major global crackdown on digital platforms, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant has officially initiated legal proceedings against popular messaging platform Telegram. The civil lawsuit, filed in the Federal Court of Australia, alleges that Telegram systematically failed to comply with its legal obligations under the country’s 2021 Online Safety Act. According to the regulator, the Dubai-based messaging app repeatedly ignored complaints from Australian users and failed to remove horrific videos depicting terrorist executions, mass shootings, and violent extremist propaganda. If found guilty, Telegram faces staggering civil penalties of up to AUD 54.6 million (approximately USD 38 million).
Unfiltered Terrorist Content and Delayed Removal
The lawsuit highlights severe lapses in Telegram’s moderation policies over an extended period. The eSafety Commission revealed that between July and October 2025, Australian users submitted multiple formal reports regarding 12 distinct posts featuring pro-terror material. Despite being explicitly notified by authorities, Telegram allegedly failed to remove 10 of these posts and refused to suspend or block the accounts distributing them. In some cases, violent material remained accessible on the platform for up to three weeks after initial reporting.
Even more concerning was Telegram’s failure to detect and filter known mass-casualty terrorist footage. According to court documents, livestreamed footage from the notorious 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings in New Zealand and the 2022 Buffalo supermarket mass shooting in New York remained viewable on Telegram for nearly three months before being taken down. The regulator charged that Telegram’s terms of service did not explicitly ban pro-terror material across all features, including its massive public channels that can reach hundreds of thousands of users simultaneously.
Global Scrutiny and Telegram’s Defense
This lawsuit comes amid mounting worldwide scrutiny of Telegram and its leadership. Founder and CEO Pavel Durov was previously arrested in France over allegations of failing to restrict illicit activities on the platform, including drug trafficking and child exploitation. Following his arrest, Telegram made minor adjustments to its policies, but regulatory authorities maintain that the platform continues to harbor dangerous extremist networks.
In response to Australia’s legal action, a Telegram spokesperson rejected the allegations, confirming the company intends to contest the case vigorously in court. Telegram defended its safety track record, stating that its anti-terrorism efforts are well-documented and pointing to public data showing that the platform blocked over 150,000 terrorist-related communities in 2026 alone. The company reiterated its commitment to preserving user privacy, freedom of speech, and supporting pro-democracy movements worldwide.
Precedent for Global Tech Accountability
Australia’s Minister for Communications Anika Wells emphasized that the government maintains a zero-tolerance policy for tech giants that permit violent material on their networks. The ongoing legal battle is being closely watched by international regulators as a benchmark case. The verdict could fundamentally alter how end-to-end encrypted messaging services and large public channels manage content moderation while balancing user privacy against national security.
