The Australian online safety regulator has fined Telegram about A$1 million ($640,000), Reuters reports. The reason was a delay in answering questions about the measures taken by the platform to prevent the spread of materials related to child abuse and extremism.
- In March 2024, the eSafety Commission addressed the social media platforms YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Telegram and Reddit.
- The regulator accused the platforms of not doing enough to prevent the use of their live streaming features, algorithms, and recommendation systems to recruit users.
- Telegram and Reddit also received a request for information on the measures they are taking to combat child sexual abuse material on their services. They were supposed to respond by May, but Telegram did not submit its response until October.
"Timely transparency is not a voluntary requirement in Australia and this action reinforces the importance of all companies complying with Australian law," eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said in a statement. She also noted that Telegram's delay has obstructed eSafety from implementing its online safety measures.
- Telegram responded that it had provided all the necessary answers last year and that there were no outstanding issues.
- According to the Australian Security Agency, in December 2024, every fifth priority case related to counter-terrorism involved minors.
- If Telegram refuses to pay the fine, eSafety intends to go to court to collect a civil penalty.
Telegram, which has come under the scrutiny of international regulators, remains at the center of scandals. In August 2024, French authorities launched an official investigation against the messenger's founder, Pavel Durov, in connection with the alleged use of the platform for illegal activities. Durov, who is under house arrest, denies all charges.
