Telegram Ban in India? Government Probe Raises Questions

New Delhi: The Indian government is currently investigating messaging app Telegram over concerns related to its use in illegal activities such as extortion and gambling, according to a report by Moneycontrol.

The investigation, led by the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), could potentially result in a ban on the app based on the findings.

This inquiry follows the recent arrest of Telegram’s founder and CEO, Pavel Durov, in Paris on August 24. Durov was detained over the app’s alleged failure to effectively moderate content, reportedly allowing criminal activities on the platform. His arrest has drawn criticism from tech mogul Elon Musk and whistleblower Edward Snowden.

Regarding a potential ban in India, the decision will hinge on the investigation’s outcomes.

Telegram currently adheres to India’s Information Technology (IT) Rules, which mandate the appointment of a nodal officer, a chief compliance officer and the publication of monthly compliance reports.