Australia Sues Telegram Over Terror Content, Seeks Heavy Fines
Australia's eSafety commissioner, Julie Inman-Grant, announced that the country is taking legal action against the messaging platform Telegram for failing to remove content it describes as 'pro-terrorism,' including footage of the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings. The case, filed in the federal court, could result in fines of up to A$54.6 million (US$38 million) for alleged violations of the Online Safety Act.
Inman-Grant stated that Telegram has left material 'linked to some of the most notorious acts of known extremist violence in recent history' accessible long after being notified. She emphasised that 'no platform is above the law' and that the company's 'permissive environment' for hosting such content could desensitise and radicalise users.
The legal action follows a period of what Inman-Grant described as 'five very difficult months of unresponsiveness' from Telegram since her agency started inquiries in March 2024. Although the platform later engaged with regulators, she alleged that extremist content remains 'very easy to find' on the service.
A Telegram spokesperson rejected the allegations, stating that the platform's anti-terrorism efforts are 'well documented' and that they will contest the claims in court.
The case unfolds amid separate legal troubles for Telegram founder Pavel Durov. On the same day as the Australian announcement, Russian authorities charged Durov with facilitating terrorism over alleged use of the app by Ukrainian secret services. In 2024, he was arrested in France and placed under formal investigation for failing to moderate criminal activity on the platform, though he was later released while the investigation continues.
Inman-Grant noted that Australia does not currently license platforms like Telegram but could 'apply to the federal court and ask that the service be ceased.' She said that while such powers have never been used, the outcome of this case will determine whether further action is warranted.
The eSafety regulator previously fined Telegram A$1 million in February 2025 for failing to respond on time to questions about its efforts to combat child abuse and extremist material.
The case highlights ongoing tensions between governments and technology companies over content moderation, with Australia taking a stringent stance under its Online Safety Act.
