Mon Feb 24 05:00:00 UTC 2025: **Australia Fines Telegram $1 Million for Failing to Respond to Terrorism and Child Abuse Queries**
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – Australia’s online safety agency has fined the messaging app Telegram AUD 957,780 (approximately USD 630,000) for failing to adequately respond to inquiries about its efforts to combat terrorism and child sexual abuse material.
The eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, announced the penalty, stating that the action underscores the obligation of all companies to comply with Australian law. In May 2023, Telegram, along with other companies, was issued a notice requiring a report by October detailing their measures to address terrorism, violent content, and child sexual abuse material on their platforms. Telegram failed to submit the report within the 160-day timeframe.
This fine follows previous concerns raised by Australian security agencies about Telegram’s alleged role in facilitating access to extremist propaganda. Telegram founder Pavel Durov was also briefly detained in France last year as part of an investigation into alleged illegal activities on the platform. Durov has denied these accusations. While Telegram offers end-to-end encrypted chats and is a popular platform for sharing photos and videos, the Australian government’s action highlights the ongoing challenges in regulating online content and holding tech companies accountable for their role in combating harmful material.
First Piper 