Australia's eSafety commissioner Julie Inman-Grant has launched legal action against Telegram over its alleged failure to remove "pro-terror" material, including video of the Christchurch shootings. She said the platform could face a fine of up to A$54.6m (£28m, US$38m) for failing to comply with its safety obligations under the Online Safety Act.
Inman-Grant alleged that Telegram had left content "linked to some of the most notorious acts of known extremist violence in recent history" online long after it had been put on notice. She said:
"This should concern all of us,"and added
"no platform is above the law".
The announcement came a day after Russia charged Telegram's founder Pavel Durov with facilitating terrorism, based on allegations that the messenger app had been used for recruitment by Ukrainian secret services. Durov was also arrested and placed under formal investigation in France in 2024 for his alleged failure to properly moderate the app to reduce criminality. He was allowed to go home months later, while the investigation continues.
Inman-Grant said her agency had begun inquiring what Telegram was doing to combat terrorist and extremist material in March 2024, and had endured
"five very difficult months of unresponsiveness". Though the platform later started engaging, she said it had retained a
"permissive environment"for hosting extremist content that was
"very easy to find".
She said:
"This only serves to desensitise, to normalise and to sometimes radicalise"users. She also alleged that the platform was
"sometimes used to plan attacks".
A Telegram spokesperson said the platform's
"extensive"anti-terrorism efforts were
"well documented", adding:
"We reject these allegations and will contest them in court."
Extremist content that was allegedly accessible on Telegram included video of the 2019 Christchurch mosque and Buffalo shooting in New York in May 2022, as well as videos of terrorist executions, according to Inman-Grant.
With the
"painful aftermath"of the attack that targeted a Jewish festival in Bondi in December fresh in Australians' minds, she said it
"is more important than ever that digital platforms meet their obligations to protect the community".
Inman-Grant noted that Australia does not issue licences for platforms like Telegram, but said
"we could apply to the federal court and ask that the service be ceased".
She added:
"We've never used those powers,"and said:
"We'll see how this all plays out and whether that kind of action is warranted."
The eSafety regulator also fined Telegram A$1m in February 2025 for failing to respond on time to questions about how it was tackling child abuse and extremist material on the platform.
What prompted the legal action?
The legal action follows months of scrutiny by Australia's eSafety regulator over Telegram's handling of terrorist and extremist content. Inman-Grant said the agency first asked in March 2024 what the platform was doing to combat such material, but said Telegram was unresponsive for five months before later engaging.
How much could Telegram be fined?
Telegram could face a fine of up to A$54.6m (£28m, US$38m) if the court finds it failed to meet its obligations under the Online Safety Act. Inman-Grant said the company had left harmful content online even after being put on notice.
What content did the commissioner say was available?
Inman-Grant said extremist material allegedly accessible on Telegram included video of the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings, the Buffalo shooting in New York in May 2022, and videos of terrorist executions. She said the platform's permissive environment made such content very easy to find.
How did Telegram respond?
Telegram said its anti-terrorism efforts were extensive and well documented. A spokesperson said:
"We reject these allegations and will contest them in court."
What wider context did the commissioner point to?
Inman-Grant linked the case to concerns about online radicalisation and recent violence in Australia, saying the painful aftermath of the Bondi attack on a Jewish festival in December was fresh in Australians' minds. She said platforms must meet their obligations to protect the community.
Could Australia stop Telegram operating?
Inman-Grant said Australia does not issue licences for platforms such as Telegram, but said the regulator could ask the federal court to cease the service. She said the powers had never been used and that it remained to be seen whether such action was warranted.
Has Telegram faced action elsewhere?
The announcement came a day after Russia charged Telegram founder Pavel Durov with facilitating terrorism over allegations the app had been used for recruitment by Ukrainian secret services. Durov was also arrested and placed under formal investigation in France in 2024 over alleged failures to properly moderate the app to reduce criminality; he was later allowed to go home while the investigation continues.
What other penalty has Telegram faced in Australia?
The eSafety regulator fined Telegram A$1m in February 2025 after the platform failed to respond on time to questions about how it was tackling child abuse and extremist material.
Key Facts
- Australia's eSafety commissioner Julie Inman-Grant has launched legal action against Telegram.
- The platform could face a fine of up to A$54.6m (£28m, US$38m).
- Alleged material included video of the Christchurch shootings, the Buffalo shooting and terrorist executions.
- Telegram says it rejects the allegations and will contest them in court.
- The regulator fined Telegram A$1m in February 2025 over delayed responses.
