Telegram is facing legal action in Australia after the country's regulator said the platform did not remove terrorist material even after it was reported. The case centers on videos showing terrorist executions and mass shootings, according to the complaint outlined by Australian authorities.
The regulator said the alleged failure could expose Telegram to a penalty of up to AU$54.6 million. The move adds pressure on the messaging service over how it handles violent extremist content and whether it responds quickly enough when dangerous material is flagged.
The Australian action came a day after Russia reportedly charged Telegram founder Pavel Durov with facilitating terrorist activity. That timing has drawn added attention to Telegram's moderation policies as scrutiny grows in multiple jurisdictions.
Together, the developments point to a broader battle over platform responsibility, online safety, and the limits of encrypted or lightly moderated services. In Australia, the immediate focus is whether Telegram breached legal obligations by leaving reported terrorist content available on the app.
