Australia's eSafety Commission has fined Telegram nearly $640,000 for delaying its response to inquiries regarding its efforts to combat child abuse material and extremist content on its platform. The penalty, announced on Monday, follows Telegram's failure to meet the deadline set by the Australian regulator for providing details on the measures it has taken to prevent the spread of harmful material, reports VoA.
In March 2024, the eSafety Commission reached out to several social media platforms, including YouTube, X, Facebook, Telegram, and Reddit, to seek information about the steps being taken to curb the use of their services by extremists. Telegram, along with Reddit, was specifically asked to respond to questions about the presence of child sexual abuse material on its platform. While the other platforms met their deadlines, Telegram submitted its response in October, several months later than required.
Julie Inman Grant, Australia's eSafety Commissioner, criticized the delay, stressing that "timely transparency is not a voluntary requirement in Australia." She emphasized that the delay obstructed the commission’s ability to implement important online safety measures.
Telegram, in its defense, stated that it had fully addressed all questions from the eSafety Commission by the end of 2024 and disputed the fine, arguing that it was unfair and disproportionate. The company indicated its intent to appeal the penalty, citing concerns over the timeframe rather than the content of its responses.
This fine comes amid growing global scrutiny of Telegram, which has faced increasing pressure over its use by extremist groups. Telegram's founder, Pavel Durov, was formally investigated in France in August 2024 over allegations that the app was being used for illegal activities. Durov, who is currently out on bail, has denied the charges.
Inman Grant reiterated that online platforms must take greater responsibility for their role in preventing the misuse of their services. "If we want accountability from the tech industry, we need much greater transparency," she said, stressing the increasing threat posed by extremist content online.
Should Telegram fail to pay the fine or appeal successfully, the eSafety Commission will pursue a civil penalty in court.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
