From piracy to gambling, Telegram likely to be banned in India

Telegram, a widely-used messaging platform, has faced growing scrutiny for its lack of content moderation, allegedly becoming a hotspot for criminal activities

By  Storyboard18Aug 26, 2024 2:54 PM
From piracy to gambling, Telegram likely to be banned in India
The official did not rule out the possibility of platform being blocked or banned in the country. Telegram has more than 5 million registered users in India.

The Indian government is investigating Telegram over its alleged usage for illegal activities such as piracy, gambling and extortion. Multiple reports claim that the messaging app is likely to be banned in India depending on the probe’s findings.

Telegram’s founder and chief executive officer Pavel Durov,39 was arrested in Paris on August 24 over the app’s moderation policies. Reports said he was detained for failing to prevent criminal activities on the app.

Reports claimed that the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) (under MHA) and MeitY have been probing into messaging app’s operations in India. The probe, being conducted by the ministry of home affairs and the ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY), was specifically looking into criminal activities such as extortion and gambling.

The official did not rule out the possibility of platform being blocked or banned in the country. Telegram has more than 5 million registered users in India.

Telegram was in the news recently over the UGC-NEET controversy, which led to student protests and forced the Supreme Court to intervene. The question paper for the medical entrance exam was leaked and was allegedly widely shared on Telegram, which is an encrypted messaging app. The paper was being sold for anywhere between Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 on the platform, according to reports.

In a statement early on August 26, the company said, "Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe. Almost a billion users globally use Telegram as a means of communication and as a source of vital information. We’re awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation. Telegram is with you all... It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner is responsible for abuse of that platform."

First Published on Aug 26, 2024 2:54 PM

More from Storyboard18

Digital

Today in AI: YouTube tests new AI features | AP police use AI to prevent crime | AI helping prevent animal poaching in India

Today in AI: YouTube tests new AI features | AP police use AI to prevent crime | AI helping prevent animal poaching in India

Digital

Gen Z’s new rules of travel include 7% more solo trips, 10% more UPI payments

Gen Z’s new rules of travel include 7% more solo trips, 10% more UPI payments

Special Coverage

Gaming is India’s newest storytelling language: dynamic, interactive, and immersive: MoS I&B Dr L Murugan at Storyboard18 DES 2025

Gaming is India’s newest storytelling language: dynamic, interactive, and immersive: MoS I&B Dr L Murugan at Storyboard18 DES 2025

Digital

Prada acknowledges Kolhapuri inspiration after backlash over ‘copied’ sandal design

Prada acknowledges Kolhapuri inspiration after backlash over ‘copied’ sandal design

Brand Makers

OpenAI vs Meta: AI talent war pushing compensation sky high

OpenAI vs Meta: AI talent war pushing compensation sky high

How it Works

Google launches "Offerwall" as AI summaries impact publisher ad income

Google launches "Offerwall" as AI summaries impact publisher ad income

Digital

YouTube tests new AI features to enhance search and discovery

YouTube tests new AI features to enhance search and discovery

Interviews

Retrospective GST and offshore gambling are twin threats for gaming: EY’s Ashish Pherwani

Retrospective GST and offshore gambling are twin threats for gaming: EY’s Ashish Pherwani