Australia’s eSafety commissioner, Julie Inman-Grant, has initiated legal action against Telegram for allegedly failing to remove extremist material, including footage of the Christchurch mosque attack. The platform faces potential fines reaching A$54.6 million for non-compliance with the Online Safety Act. Inman-Grant stated that the app maintained a permissive atmosphere for harmful content that remains easily accessible.
The regulator reported five months of poor communication from the company regarding its safety protocols. According to the commissioner, the platform has hosted videos of terrorist executions and shootings, such as the 2022 Buffalo attack. While Telegram has not yet provided comment, it has historically disputed claims that its moderation efforts are inadequate.
This development coincides with recent international pressure on Telegram. Founder Pavel Durov faces accusations in Russia regarding terrorism recruitment and has been subject to an investigation in France concerning content moderation. Inman-Grant emphasized that while Australia has not previously attempted to shut down a service, the possibility remains open depending on the court’s proceedings. In February 2025, the regulator had already issued a A$1 million fine to the platform for failing to provide timely information on its handling of illegal content.
