In a recent decision, Australia’s eSafety Commission levied a fine of nearly A$1 million (approximately US$640,000) against the encrypted messaging service Telegram. The penalty was imposed for the company’s significant delay in responding to regulatory inquiries about its strategies for combating child abuse and extremist material on its platform. The fine highlights Australia’s commitment to enforcing the Online Safety Act, which empowers the eSafety Board to hold technology companies accountable for addressing harmful content.
Back in March 2024, the commission directed Telegram, along with other tech giants such as Meta and Google, to disclose their efforts regarding the prevention of dangerous content dissemination. Most companies complied with the May deadline, but Telegram did not furnish its action plan until October, 160 days overdue. eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant criticized Telegram’s tardiness, stating that the delay obstructed the commission’s ability to execute its duties under the Online Safety Act for almost half a year (eSafety Media Release).
Telegram disputes the penalty, labeling it as “unfair and disproportionate” and has announced plans to appeal. If the company resists the penalty payment, the commission may seek civil penalties via the federal court system. A 2024 report by the Five Eyes intelligence alliance had previously identified Telegram as a significant medium for the radicalization of minors, with Australian counter-terrorism investigations citing the platform in nearly 20% of such cases. The report underscored the importance of transparency and accountability in tackling online safety issues.
Telegram’s scrutiny isn’t limited to Australia. In August 2024, French authorities charged Telegram CEO Pavel Durov with failure to control illegal content, resulting in his temporary detention. Following his release on bail, France stipulated travel restrictions against him (Judicial Release). In response, Telegram has made strides towards enhancing transparency, exemplified by their first law enforcement request report in 2024, which detailed compliance with 14 Australian data requests affecting 23 users.
The eSafety Commission plans to release a full report in March, encompassing the responses from Telegram, Meta, Google, and Reddit, underscoring this global focus on platform accountability in addressing online harms.