I&B Ministry Warns Telegram Over Piracy: Proactive Action Required
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has issued a fresh notice to messaging platform Telegram, demanding stricter measures to curb the spread of pirated content. The notice, sent on Saturday, accuses Telegram of failing to adequately address copyright violations on its platform.
In its communication, the Ministry instructed Telegram to proactively identify and remove groups and channels that share pirated material. It warned that failure to comply could lead to “further examination and action under the applicable legal framework,” including potential legal consequences under Indian law.
The Ministry highlighted that under the Information Technology Act and the IT Rules, Telegram, as an intermediary, is obligated to prevent copyright infringement. It also asked Telegram to provide details on its grievance redressal mechanism for OTT platforms, directors, and law enforcement agencies to ensure swift action against illegal content.
Telegram has been given 15 days to submit an Action Taken Report detailing steps taken to strengthen its content detection and takedown systems. The Ministry emphasised that copyright infringement is not just a civil offence but also a criminal offence in India under the Copyright Act, 1957, and the Cinematograph Act, 1952.
The move comes amid increased government scrutiny over Telegram’s role in other incidents. Recently, the platform was restricted before the NEET (UG) 2026 re-examination after the National Testing Agency (NTA) alleged that Telegram was used by cheating rackets to defraud candidates. The fresh notice on piracy signals a broader effort by the government to enforce digital accountability.
Experts note that platforms like Telegram face challenges in balancing user privacy with regulatory compliance. However, the Ministry’s stance underscores the legal responsibilities of intermediaries in curbing illegal activities. The outcome of this notice could set a precedent for how online platforms manage copyrighted content in India.
