Telegram Sued Over Failure to Remove Pro-Terror Material

Canberra — Australia's eSafety Commissioner has initiated civil penalty proceedings in the Federal Court against digital messaging platform Telegram FZ-LLC, alleging systematic failures to detect and remove pro-terrorist material and violent extremist content from its service.

Following a year-long investigation, the regulatory authority claims Telegram breached its legal obligations under the Online Safety Act’s Relevant Electronic Services Standard.

The statement of claim alleges Telegram failed to act on user reports regarding public posts containing terrorist execution videos, leaving illicit content accessible for up to three weeks.

The regulator further alleges Telegram failed to proactively detect known extremist media, including footage from the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings and the May 2022 Buffalo mass shooting, which remained hosted months after being uploaded.

Under Australian statutory standards, digital communications platforms face potential civil penalties of up to AU$54.6 million for persistent non-compliance with content removal mandates.

eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, stressed that failing to enforce content standards allows extremist material to circulate freely, increasing risks of online radicalisation.

“This case concerns content linked to some of the most notorious acts of known extremist violence in recent history,” Inman Grant stated.

“We allege that this content remained accessible on the service long after Telegram had been put on notice.

"With the painful aftermath of the Bondi terror attack still fresh in the minds of all Australians, and ASIO’s assessment that Australia's terrorism threat level remains ‘probable’, it is more important than ever that digital platforms meet their obligations," she said.

The legal action seeks court orders for financial penalties against Telegram, which registers an estimated 1.5 million visits per month from Australian users.