Catenaa, Monday, February 24, 2025-Australia’s online safety regulator, the eSafety Commission, has fined messaging platform Telegram 1 million Australian dollars (about $640,000) for its delayed response to an inquiry regarding its measures to prevent the spread of child abuse material and extremist content.
Telegram, which was asked to provide details on its efforts to combat harmful content, failed to meet the May deadline set by the regulator and only submitted its answers in October. The eSafety Commission emphasized the importance of timely transparency, as it is not optional under Australian law.
Telegram disputed the penalty, claiming it had answered all of the regulator’s questions in 2024 and that the fine was unfairly imposed for the delay in its response timeframe. The company announced plans to appeal the decision.
This fine follows growing scrutiny of Telegram, which has faced investigations in multiple countries, including France and South Korea, for its alleged role in criminal activity. A UN report in October 2024 cited Telegram as a significant platform for cybercriminals.
The Australian government’s investigation into Telegram reflects broader global efforts to address online safety and the spread of harmful content on social media platforms.
