Australia’s online safety regulator has launched court proceedings against Telegram, alleging that the messaging platform failed to meet its legal obligations to detect and remove terrorist and extremist content. If the allegations are upheld, Telegram could face civil penalties of up to A$54.6 million.
According to the eSafety Commissioner, the investigation lasted around a year and focused on reports that videos of terrorist executions and footage from the Christchurch and Buffalo attacks remained accessible long after Australian users had reported them. Authorities claim some material stayed online for weeks or even months.
The regulator alleges that Telegram failed to remove illegal content promptly, did not disable related accounts and channels, and failed to take adequate steps to prevent further distribution of extremist material. Officials argue that such failures increase the risk of online radicalisation and the spread of violent propaganda.
Telegram has rejected the allegations and said it intends to contest the case. The company maintains that it has removed thousands of extremist communities during 2026 and continues to enforce policies prohibiting terrorist content on its platform.
The case is one of Australia’s most significant enforcement actions under the Online Safety Act and could establish an important legal precedent regarding the responsibility of major digital platforms to prevent the spread of unlawful content.
