Telegram Case: Australia Takes Legal Action Over Alleged Terror Content

Telegram Case proceedings have begun after Australia’s internet regulator launched legal action against the messaging platform over its alleged failure to remove terrorist and extremist content.

Telegram Case Australia Takes Legal Action Over Alleged Terror Content

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner said Telegram did not remove videos linked to terrorist executions and mass shootings despite receiving reports from users.

Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said the case involves material connected to some of the most notorious extremist attacks in recent history, including the Christchurch and Buffalo terrorist attacks.

She alleged that the content remained available on Telegram even after the platform received formal notice.

Furthermore, the regulator warned that Telegram could face civil penalties of up to A$54.6 million (US$38 million) if the court finds it breached Australia’s online safety codes and standards.

However, Telegram rejected the allegations and confirmed that it will contest the case in court.

A company spokesperson said Telegram has taken extensive action against extremist content and blocked thousands of extremist communities during 2026 alone.

According to court documents, Australian users reported 12 posts containing alleged pro-terror material between July and October 2025.

The filing states that three of those posts contained known terrorist content.

Moreover, the regulator alleges Telegram failed to remove 10 posts and did not suspend or block the accounts responsible for publishing them.

Telegram remains one of the world’s most popular messaging platforms, with more than one billion monthly active users, according to the company.

Founder Pavel Durov left Russia in 2014 before relocating both himself and Telegram to Dubai in 2017.

Meanwhile, the platform continues to play a major role in sharing information about Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Separately, Russian authorities charged Durov on Wednesday with facilitating terrorist activity, alleging that Telegram was used by Ukrainian operatives to organize attacks inside Russia.