Australia's eSafety Commission has fined Telegram A$1 million (US$640,000) for failing to respond in a timely manner to inquiries about its efforts to curb child abuse and violent extremist content on its platform. The regulator had initially asked Telegram and Reddit in March 2024 to provide details on their measures to prevent the spread of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and extremist content. While responses were due in May, Telegram only submitted its answers in October—resulting in this hefty penalty.
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant emphasized that "timely transparency is not a voluntary requirement in Australia", criticizing Telegram's delay for hindering regulatory efforts to enforce online safety standards. She stressed that Big Tech companies must be accountable for how they manage harmful content on their platforms.
Growing Global Scrutiny on Telegram
Telegram has been under increasing scrutiny worldwide due to concerns about the platform being used for illegal activities and extremist communications.
- In France, Telegram's founder, Pavel Durov, was placed under formal investigation in August 2024 over allegations that the app was facilitating illegal activities.
- Australia’s spy agency reported that one in five counter-terrorism cases it investigated in 2024 involved young people, raising concerns about how extremist groups may be using online platforms for recruitment.
What’s Next?
If Telegram refuses to pay the fine, the eSafety Commission could take the matter to court to seek a civil penalty. The regulator also hinted at stricter enforcement against non-compliant tech platforms, stating that greater transparency is needed from social media companies to ensure that they are taking necessary steps to protect users from harmful content.
This fine highlights Australia’s aggressive stance on online safety regulations, as the government continues to pressure Big Tech platforms to take more responsibility in tackling harmful content.
