Australia's eSafety Commissioner has filed legal action against Telegram, alleging the messaging platform failed to detect and remove pro-terror material including videos of the Christchurch and Buffalo mass shootings and Islamic State beheadings, in a case that tests the country's 2021 online safety law.
What the regulator alleges
Australia's eSafety Commissioner alleges that Telegram failed to remove extremist content, including videos linked to the Christchurch and Buffalo mass shootings and Islamic State executions, despite being notified about the material.
Following a year-long investigation, the regulator claims some content remained accessible for up to three weeks after being reported by Australian users, potentially breaching obligations under the country's Online Safety Act.
Potential penalty
If the Federal Court rules against Telegram, the company could face a civil penalty of up to AU$54.6 million (about US$38 million). The case is expected to test Australia's online safety laws, which require digital platforms to take reasonable steps to detect and remove terrorist and illegal content.
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said the case concerns material linked to major terrorist attacks and alleged the platform failed to remove it despite being notified.
Telegram denied the allegations, stating that its efforts to combat terrorist content are well established and that it would contest the case in court. The company said it has blocked more than 150,000 terrorist-related communities on the platform this year.
According to the regulator, concerns about Telegram's handling of extremist content were first raised in March 2024. The commissioner said the platform was largely unresponsive before increasing engagement later that year.
The lawsuit reflects growing efforts by governments to hold digital platforms accountable for moderating harmful online content. The outcome could influence how messaging platforms comply with online safety regulations in Australia and other jurisdictions.
