Australia Files Lawsuit Against Telegram Over Failure to Remove Terror Content

Australia’s online safety regulator has launched formal civil penalty proceedings against Telegram, alleging the messaging platform failed to remove terrorism related content despite repeated user complaints and warnings.

Regulator Alleges Repeated Failures to Act

The eSafety Commissioner filed the case in Australia’s Federal Court on Thursday, claiming Telegram violated the country’s Online Safety Act by not addressing pro-terror content flagged through multiple complaints. According to a year-long investigation, some reported material remained accessible for as long as three weeks after being identified. The regulator also alleged the platform failed to take adequate steps to prevent repeat offenses, including removing accounts and channels used to spread extremist content.

Extremist Footage Cited as Evidence

Investigators said Telegram failed to detect known extremist material, including footage from past mass shooting incidents, before it was eventually taken down. Australia is seeking financial penalties, with potential fines reaching tens of millions of dollars under the country’s online safety regulations.

Part of Broader Global Scrutiny

This legal action follows growing international pressure on Telegram’s moderation practices. Just a day earlier, Russia’s Federal Security Service charged founder Pavel Durov with facilitating terrorist activity, alleging the platform failed to remove content used by extremist groups and intelligence-linked actors. Durov also remains under separate investigation in France, stemming from his 2024 arrest, and has previously criticized what he describes as growing government threats to online privacy and free expression.

Telegram Has Not Issued Formal Response

The company has not directly addressed the Australian case, though its official account posted content referencing free expression following the announcement.