**Australia Takes Telegram to Court Over Alleged Failure to Remove 'Pro-Terror' Material**
Australia has initiated legal proceedings against the messaging platform Telegram, citing its failure to remove content deemed "pro-terror," including videos of the Christchurch mosque shootings. Julie Inman-Grant, the country’s eSafety commissioner, announced the action, which could result in fines of up to A$54.6 million (approximately £28 million or US$38 million) for the platform's non-compliance with safety obligations under the Online Safety Act.
Inman-Grant, who previously spearheaded Australia's pioneering ban on social media access for individuals under 16, emphasized the seriousness of the situation, highlighting that Telegram had allowed content associated with some of the most infamous acts of extremist violence to remain accessible long after being notified of its presence. "This should concern all of us," she stated, asserting that "no platform is above the law."
The announcement follows recent developments involving Telegram's founder, Pavel Durov, who was charged by Russian authorities with facilitating terrorism. These charges stem from allegations that the app was used for recruitment by Ukrainian secret services. In 2024, Durov was also arrested in France for purportedly failing to adequately moderate the app to curb criminal activity, although he was released months later as investigations continued.
Inman-Grant revealed that her agency began investigating Telegram's measures against terrorist and extremist content in March 2024. However, she described the subsequent five months as "very difficult" due to the platform's lack of responsiveness. While Telegram eventually began to engage with the inquiry, Inman-Grant criticized the platform for maintaining a "permissive environment" that made extremist content easily accessible. She expressed concern that this environment could desensitize users and potentially lead to radicalization.
The eSafety commissioner noted that the extremist content available on Telegram included videos of the 2019 Christchurch mosque shooting and the mass shooting at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, in May 2022, as well as footage of terrorist executions. With the recent memory of an attack during a Jewish festival in Bondi in December still fresh in the minds of Australians, Inman-Grant underscored the urgency for digital platforms to fulfill their responsibilities in safeguarding the community.
While Australia does not issue licenses for platforms like Telegram, Inman-Grant mentioned that the government could seek to have the service ceased through federal court action if necessary. She indicated that such measures had not been previously employed but would be considered based on the outcome of the current legal proceedings.
In February 2025, the eSafety regulator had already fined Telegram A$1 million for its delayed response to inquiries regarding its handling of child abuse and extremist material. The ongoing legal action reflects a broader concern regarding the role of social media platforms in moderating content and ensuring user safety.
As the case unfolds, it highlights the challenges faced by governments worldwide in regulating online platforms and the balance between freedom of expression and public safety.