The Australian government has imposed a A$1 million (approximately $640,000 USD) fine on encrypted messaging platform Telegram for failing to respond in a timely manner to inquiries regarding its efforts to combat child sexual abuse material and violent extremist content on its platform.
The fine, issued by Australia’s eSafety Commission, underscores the growing regulatory scrutiny on tech companies that offer encrypted messaging services. The commission accused Telegram of significantly delaying its response to a March 2024 request for information on how it handles illegal content, a move that regulators say hampered their ability to enforce online safety measures effectively.
Delayed Response Triggers Penalty
According to the eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, Telegram was asked in March 2024 to provide detailed information on the mechanisms it has in place to detect, prevent, and remove harmful content, including child abuse imagery and terrorist propaganda. Under Australia’s Online Safety Act, tech companies are legally required to respond to such requests within a specified timeframe.
However, Telegram failed to provide the requested information by the May 2024 deadline, only submitting a response in October 2024—five months later. The commission described this delay as “unacceptable” and said it hindered their efforts to ensure online platforms are not being used to facilitate criminal activities.
"We expect all technology companies operating in Australia to take their responsibility seriously in tackling the proliferation of child sexual exploitation material and terrorism-related content," said Inman Grant. "Telegram’s failure to respond in a timely manner left us with no choice but to impose this penalty."
Telegram’s Encryption and Safety Concerns
Telegram, which boasts over 700 million users worldwide, is known for its end-to-end encryption and minimal content moderation policies, which have made it popular among users seeking privacy. However, these same features have also raised concerns among governments and regulators, who argue that such platforms are being exploited by criminals to share illicit content.
Unlike competitors such as Meta’s WhatsApp, Telegram offers "secret chats" with end-to-end encryption as well as public and private channels where content moderation is limited. Law enforcement agencies across the world have repeatedly warned that these features could be misused by criminal groups, including child exploitation networks, terrorist organizations, and drug traffickers.
The Australian eSafety Commission has previously taken action against other tech companies, including X (formerly Twitter) and Meta, demanding more accountability in handling harmful content. However, this is one of the largest fines levied against Telegram in a government crackdown on digital platforms.
Regulatory Push for More Oversight
Australia has been at the forefront of regulating digital platforms under its Online Safety Act, which grants authorities the power to demand information, issue takedown notices, and impose penalties on tech companies that fail to comply.
The Australian government has also been a vocal advocate for breaking encryption barriers to enable law enforcement access to private communications when necessary. However, privacy advocates and tech companies argue that such measures could undermine user security by introducing vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers.
Telegram has not yet issued a public statement regarding the fine, but the company has historically pushed back against government attempts to weaken encryption or enforce stringent content moderation. In previous cases, Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, has defended the platform’s policies, emphasizing the importance of privacy and free speech.
What Happens Next?
With mounting global pressure on encrypted messaging platforms, Telegram’s latest fine in Australia may serve as a warning to other tech giants about the need for compliance with regulatory demands.
The eSafety Commission has indicated that it will continue to monitor Telegram’s handling of harmful content and may take further action if the platform fails to demonstrate stronger content moderation practices.
As governments worldwide push for greater transparency and accountability from digital platforms, the balance between privacy, security, and law enforcement access remains a contentious issue. Telegram’s case in Australia is just one chapter in a larger, ongoing battle over how much control governments should have over encrypted communications.