Australia has launched a lawsuit against Telegram, accusing the messaging app of failing to swiftly remove content linked to terrorism despite repeated user reports. The case, brought by the country's eSafety Commissioner, could result in fines up to AU$54.6 million if the court rules in favor of the government.
The allegations focus on videos depicting executions and mass shootings, which reportedly remained accessible on Telegram for up to three weeks after being flagged by users between July and October 2025. Australian authorities say Telegram did not act promptly to take down these materials or suspend the accounts spreading them.
Sweeping Safety Obligations Under Scrutiny
The lawsuit also challenges Telegram's broader management of extremist channels and public groups. According to the filings, the platform allowed known accounts linked to terrorism to stay active, enabling ongoing distribution of harmful content. Some of the evidence cited includes videos from the Christchurch mosque attack and the Buffalo supermarket shooting, which users uploaded months before being removed. Australia argues that Telegram’s detection and removal systems were insufficiently solid to catch and block such material sooner.
Under Australia’s Online Safety Act 2021, platforms must actively prevent and disrupt serious unlawful content, including terrorism-related posts, extreme violence, and child abuse material. The eSafety Commissioner accuses Telegram of having incomplete policies related to terrorism content and failing to communicate outcomes to users who reported the violations.
Telegram denies all claims and intends to contest the case in court. The company states it has blocked thousands of extremist groups and disputes the government's version of events, underscoring ongoing tension over regulating encrypted messaging platforms.
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