Telegram could face a ban in India if these charges are proven true

Telegram could face further issues. A report from Moneycontrol indicates that the popular messaging app is under growing scrutiny from the Indian government for its alleged involvement in criminal activities like extortion and gambling. The government is said to have initiated an investigation into the platform, and a ban could be considered based on the investigation’s results.

The report states, “The government is looking into Telegram for its suspected involvement in criminal activities like extortion and gambling, according to a government official. The official also mentioned that a ban on the messaging app could be considered based on the findings of the investigation.”

This follows the recent arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov in France. Reports indicate that France, an office focused on protecting minors, had issued an arrest warrant for Durov as part of a preliminary investigation into alleged offenses, including fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organized crime, and terrorism promotion. French authorities have raised concerns about Telegram’smoderation policies and their perceived failure to curb criminal activity.

In India, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) are conducting the investigation. They are specifically examining how Telegram has been used for illegal activities such as extortion and gambling. While a ban is a possibility, the final decision will depend on the investigation’s findings.

Telegram has been criticized in the past for its role in spreading misinformation and enabling illegal activities. The recent UGC-NEET controversy, where the medical entrance exam paper was leaked and widely shared on the platform, has increased scrutiny. The paper was reportedly being sold for between Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 on Telegram.

Despite these issues, Telegram asserts that it complies with Indian laws. The company has appointed a nodal officer and a chief compliance officer, and it publishes monthly compliance reports. However, the government has struggled to address issues with Telegram due to its lack of a physical presence in India.

In October 2023, the IT ministry issued notices to Telegram and other social media platforms, directing them to remove child sexual abuse material (CSAM) from their sites.