George Anjay
Commissioner Inman-Grant, a prominent figure known for leading Australia’s pioneering ban on social media for individuals under the age of 16, stated that Telegram could be subjected to fines of up to A$54.6 million (approximately £28 million or US$38 million) for contravening its safety obligations under the Online Safety Act. She alleged that Telegram had allowed content linked to some of the most horrific acts of extremist violence in recent history to remain accessible online for an unacceptable period, even after being formally notified of its presence. "This should concern all of us," Inman-Grant emphasized, delivering a stern message that "no platform is above the law."
The timing of this announcement is noteworthy, occurring just a day after Russia initiated charges against Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov. The Russian authorities accuse Durov of facilitating terrorism, based on allegations that the messaging app has been utilized for recruitment purposes by Ukrainian secret services. This international legal scrutiny of Durov is not unprecedented; in 2024, he was also arrested and placed under formal investigation in France concerning his alleged failure to adequately moderate the app to curb criminal activities. While he was permitted to return home months later, the investigation in France remains ongoing.
Commissioner Inman-Grant detailed the eSafety Commissioner’s agency’s engagement with Telegram, which commenced in March 2024 with an inquiry into the platform’s measures for combating terrorist and extremist material. She described the subsequent five months as "very difficult" due to a perceived lack of responsiveness from Telegram. Although the platform eventually began to engage with the agency, Inman-Grant asserted that it has maintained a "permissive environment" for hosting extremist content, making it "very easy to find." She underscored the severe consequences of such an environment, stating that it "only serves to desensitize, to normalize and to sometimes radicalize" users, and further alleged that the platform is "sometimes used to plan attacks."
In response to the allegations, a spokesperson for Telegram vehemently rejected the claims, stating that the platform’s "extensive" anti-terrorism efforts are "well documented." The spokesperson declared, "We reject these allegations and will contest them in court."
The nature of the alleged extremist content accessible on Telegram is particularly grave. Commissioner Inman-Grant specified that it included graphic video footage of the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings and the May 2022 Buffalo supermarket shooting in New York, as well as videos depicting terrorist executions. She highlighted the profound impact of such content on the Australian public, particularly in the wake of the December attack that targeted a Jewish festival in Bondi. Inman-Grant stressed that with the "painful aftermath" of this incident still fresh in Australians’ minds, it is "more important than ever that digital platforms meet their obligations to protect the community."
Inman-Grant clarified Australia’s regulatory approach, noting that while the country does not issue licenses for platforms like Telegram, the eSafety Commissioner has the power to "apply to the federal court and ask that the service be ceased." She acknowledged that these powers have not been utilized previously, stating, "We’ve never used those powers. We’ll see how this all plays out and whether that kind of action is warranted."
This legal action follows a previous regulatory move against Telegram. In February 2025, the eSafety regulator imposed a A$1 million fine on Telegram for its failure to provide timely responses to inquiries regarding its strategies for addressing child abuse and extremist material on the platform. This latest legal challenge signals a determined stance by the Australian government to ensure that technology companies actively contribute to a safer online environment, particularly in the face of evolving threats posed by extremist ideologies and their dissemination. The case is expected to set a significant precedent for how digital platforms are held accountable for the content hosted on their services, and the potential implications for user safety and the fight against terrorism are far-reaching. The legal proceedings will likely scrutinize Telegram’s content moderation policies, its responsiveness to regulatory requests, and its overall commitment to upholding its safety obligations under Australian law. The outcome will undoubtedly be closely watched by governments and civil liberties advocates worldwide, as it could influence future regulatory frameworks for social media and messaging applications globally. The gravity of the alleged content, particularly the inclusion of footage from mass casualty events, underscores the critical need for robust mechanisms to prevent the proliferation of such material and to protect vulnerable individuals from its harmful influence. The eSafety Commissioner’s proactive approach reflects a growing global concern over the role of online platforms in facilitating radicalization and the spread of violent ideologies. Australia’s legal action against Telegram serves as a stark reminder that in the digital age, platform responsibility is paramount, and a failure to meet these obligations can have severe legal and financial consequences. The case also highlights the complex challenges of regulating global digital services that operate across borders and often employ sophisticated encryption and privacy features that can make content moderation difficult. However, as Commissioner Inman-Grant forcefully articulated, these challenges do not exempt platforms from their fundamental duty of care to their users and to society at large. The legal battle that is now unfolding in Australia will be a crucial test of the effectiveness of current online safety legislation and the willingness of regulatory bodies to enforce it against powerful technology companies.
Ramos Leo
Roy Suryo
Nana Banana
