Telegram is facing fresh legal action in Australia after the country’s online safety regulator accused the messaging platform of failing to remove terrorist and extremist content despite repeated enforcement notices.
The eSafety Commissioner has filed proceedings in Australia’s Federal Court, alleging Telegram left videos linked to terrorist executions and mass shootings accessible long after authorities notified the company that the material breached the country’s online safety rules.
🚨Australia Sues Telegram for $38M
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner has launched legal action against Telegram, seeking penalties of up to A$54.6 million ($38 million) for failing to remove pro-terror material.
The case involves Telegram’s alleged failure to detect and remove… pic.twitter.com/4gsK3vMHMn
— VISHESH (@vishesh18_) July 30, 2026
The case centres on videos connected to the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks in New Zealand and the 2022 Buffalo supermarket shooting in the United States.
According to the regulator, Telegram failed to restrict access to the content within the time required under Australia’s online safety framework.
“We allege that this content remained accessible on the service long after Telegram had been put on notice,”
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said.
If the court rules against Telegram, the platform could face civil penalties of up to A$54.6 million ($38 million).
Telegram denies the allegations, prepares for a court meeting
Telegram has denied the allegations and confirmed it will challenge the case in court.
“We reject these allegations and will contest them in court,”
a company spokesperson said.
The spokesperson added that Telegram removed thousands of extremist communities during 2026 as part of its broader enforcement efforts and maintained that the platform continues to act against content that violates its policies.
What this means for Pavel Durov
The Australian lawsuit adds to a growing list of legal challenges facing Telegram founder Pavel Durov across multiple jurisdictions.
Durov is already under criminal investigation in France over allegations that Telegram failed to curb criminal activity on the platform. French authorities arrested him near Paris in August 2024 before later easing his travel restrictions, although the investigation remains ongoing.
Meanwhile, Russian authorities have also intensified pressure on Durov, accusing Telegram of allowing channels and bots linked to terrorist organisations and Ukrainian intelligence to remain active. Durov has dismissed those claims, describing the case as politically motivated.
Telegram expands TON-powered crypto features
Telegram has continued expanding its blockchain and digital asset ecosystem through The Open Network (TON).
The platform has introduced crypto-focused features over the past year, including support for digital payments, tokenized gifts, collectibles and mini apps that rely on TON infrastructure.
Telegram’s growing integration with blockchain services has strengthened its position within the crypto industry, where millions of users access wallets, Web3 applications and token-based services directly through the messaging app. The continued expansion of these features has made Telegram an increasingly important platform for crypto projects looking to reach retail users.
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