Australian regulator has filed a lawsuit against Telegram: the messenger faces a $38 million fine for terrorist content
Australia's eSafety Commissioner has initiated a civil lawsuit against Telegram in the Federal Court. The regulator accuses the platform of systematically failing to meet its obligations to identify and remove content promoting terrorism, including videos of violence. This is the first such precedent in the country, and it could set an important standard for the entire messaging industry.
The case is the result of a year-long investigation in which the regulator documented that content related to terrorist activity remained publicly accessible on Telegram for extended periods. If found guilty, the messenger faces a fine of up to 54.6 million Australian dollars (about $38 million) for violating local safety standards.
The essence of eSafety's accusations against Telegram
In my assessment, the key issue here is not simply the presence of prohibited content, but the platform's systemic failure to respond to user complaints. The regulator claims that Telegram did not remove or even identify known recordings, including videos of the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings and the 2022 Buffalo mass shooting. These materials remained accessible for nearly three months after receiving notifications.
Commissioner Julie Inman Grant emphasizes that Telegram's rules prohibit the promotion of terrorism but are applied inconsistently. The platform allegedly did not inform users of the results of their complaint reviews, creating an accountability vacuum. "We allege that this content remained available on the platform even after Telegram was notified," she stated.
Telegram's position: denial and legal defense
Telegram, which is used monthly by about 1.5 million Australians and over 1 billion people worldwide, categorically rejects the accusations. In an official statement, the company insists that its counter-terrorism efforts are well documented and promises to contest the lawsuit in court.
This case intensifies the legal pressure on the messenger, which has already taken on a global character. Previously, Russia brought charges against founder Pavel Durov for facilitating terrorist activity, and in August 2024 he was detained in France, after which he was released on bail and moved to Dubai in 2025.
My expert view: This lawsuit is a signal for the entire crypto and technology industry. If eSafety wins the case, it will create a precedent requiring messengers to implement stricter moderation, which may conflict with their principles of decentralization and privacy. Investors and users should closely monitor developments: the outcome of the case could affect operational risks not only for Telegram but also for other platforms operating in jurisdictions with strict content laws.