Australia sues Telegram over alleged failure to remove 'pro-terror' material

Key facts

• Australia's eSafety Commissioner has filed civil penalty proceedings against Telegram in the Federal Court.
• The regulator alleges Telegram failed to remove 'pro-terror' material, including videos of mass shootings, after being notified.
• Content includes footage from the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings and the 2022 Buffalo mass shooting.
• Telegram faces potential fines of up to A$54.6 million ($38 million) for violations of the Online Safety Act.
• Telegram founder Pavel Durov is also facing charges in Russia and an investigation in France.

Australia's online safety regulator has launched civil penalty proceedings against Telegram, alleging the messaging platform failed to adequately remove extremist content, including videos of mass shootings, in violation of the country's Online Safety Act. The eSafety Commissioner claims Telegram did not act on multiple user complaints and that some reported content remained visible for up to three weeks. The regulator is seeking financial penalties, with potential fines reaching up to A$54.6 million ($38 million). The content in question includes footage from the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings and the 2022 Buffalo mass shooting. Telegram has not issued an official statement on the Australian proceedings but has previously posted about freedom of expression. This legal action follows separate charges against Telegram founder Pavel Durov by Russia's Federal Security Service for allegedly facilitating terrorist activities, and an ongoing investigation in France related to illegal content distribution. Telegram has stated it rejects the allegations and will contest them in court.