Regulator alleges platform left pro-terror material online as Telegram vows to challenge case
SYDNEY: Australia’s online safety regulator has launched legal proceedings against messaging platform Telegram, alleging the company failed to remove extremist and pro-terrorism content despite receiving reports from users.
The Office of the eSafety Commissioner announced on Thursday that the action relates to allegations that videos linked to terrorist executions and mass shootings remained available on the platform after Telegram had been notified.
In a statement, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said the case involves content associated with some of the most widely known extremist attacks in recent history, including material connected to the Christchurch and Buffalo attacks.
According to the regulator, the content remained accessible long after Telegram had been placed on notice, prompting the legal action.
Regulator cites repeated complaints
Court documents filed by the eSafety Commissioner allege that Australian Telegram users reported 12 posts containing pro-terror content between July and October 2025.
The regulator claims three of those posts contained known terrorist material and alleges that Telegram failed to remove 10 of the reported posts or suspend the accounts responsible for publishing them.
If the court finds Telegram breached Australia’s online safety codes and standards, the platform could face civil penalties of up to A$54.6 million (approximately US$38 million).
Telegram rejects allegations
Telegram has denied the allegations and confirmed it will contest the case in court.
A company spokesperson said the platform rejects the regulator’s claims and argued that its efforts to combat terrorism are well documented.
According to Telegram, it has blocked thousands of extremist communities during 2026 as part of its ongoing moderation and enforcement measures.
The company maintains that it continues to invest in identifying and removing content linked to terrorism and violent extremism.
Telegram is among the world’s most widely used messaging platforms, with the company reporting more than one billion monthly active users globally.
The legal proceedings will now determine whether the platform complied with Australia’s online safety requirements and whether the regulator’s allegations are supported by the evidence presented before the court.
