Australia’s eSafety Commissioner is pushing a hefty penalty of up to AUD 54.6 million against Telegram for allegedly ignoring terrorism-linked content on its platform. Federal Court proceedings kicked off after a year-long probe found flagged material lingering for weeks without removal.
Australia’s Legal Action Targets Telegram’s Handling of Extremist Content
The eSafety Commissioner's investigation uncovered that Telegram allowed accounts, groups, and channels sharing extremist materials to remain accessible for as long as three weeks despite reports. This lapse violates the Online Safety Act, exposing the messaging giant to a significant fine of roughly $35.8 million. The case highlights increasing scrutiny on Telegram’s content moderation, especially amid growing global concerns over online radicalization.
Russia Joins the Fray by Charging Telegram’s Founder
Just a day before Australia's suit, Russia’s Federal Security Service charged Pavel Durov, Telegram’s founder, accusing him of facilitating terrorism. Authorities claim Telegram enabled Ukrainian intelligence and extremist groups to coordinate attacks, recruit members, and engage in cybercrime through channels and bots on the platform. An international arrest warrant for Durov has been issued. Meanwhile, French authorities are investigating similar allegations against Telegram’s role in illegal activities.
Despite these mounting legal pressures, the native token GRAM showed only mild market reactions. Trading near $1.42 after a 2.3% dip, its momentum remains neutral. However, derivatives markets saw open interest drop sharply to $43.3 million, signaling traders’ caution amid the uncertainty. Funding rates suggest a slight bias toward longs, but ongoing developments could push selling pressure higher.
This material is for informational purposes and should not be considered financial advice.
