- Australia’s eSafety Commissioner filed civil penalty proceedings against Telegram over alleged safety failures.
- The regulator alleges Telegram failed to remove reported pro-terror and extreme violence content.
- Telegram faces potential civil penalties of up to A$54.6 million under Australian law.
Australia’s online safety regulator has launched Federal Court proceedings against Telegram over alleged failures to detect and remove pro-terror material from the messaging platform. The action follows a year-long investigation by the eSafety Commissioner, which examined Telegram’s handling of unlawful and extremist content.
Notably, the case centers on allegations that Telegram did not meet obligations under Australia’s Online Safety Act 2021 and related safety standards. The regulator claims the platform failed to take sufficient steps after becoming aware of harmful material, including videos linked to terrorist attacks and extremist violence.
Australia Challenges Telegram’s Content Moderation Practices
The eSafety Commissioner said the legal action concerns Telegram’s alleged failure to remove publicly available pro-terror material after receiving reports from Australian users. According to the regulator, some reported content remained accessible on the platform for extended periods after complaints were submitted.
Notably, eSafety alleges that Telegram failed to remove certain accounts, channels, and groups connected to unlawful material after becoming aware of the content. The regulator also claims the platform did not take adequate measures to reduce the risk of similar material being distributed again.
The proceedings involve allegations related to videos associated with major acts of extremist violence, including the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings and the 2022 Buffalo mass shooting in New York. The eSafety Commissioner stated that some related material was available on Telegram before removal.
Meanwhile, Telegram has rejected the allegations. A company spokesperson said the platform’s anti-terrorism efforts are documented and confirmed that Telegram intends to challenge the claims through the legal process.
Telegram Faces Potential Civil Penalty Under Online Safety Law
Under Australia’s Online Safety Act framework, online services are required to take steps to prevent, detect, deter, and disrupt the spread of unlawful content. These obligations cover material including child exploitation content, pro-terror material, and extreme violence.
The eSafety Commissioner is seeking orders from the Federal Court, including a civil penalty determined by the court for alleged breaches of the legislation. The maximum potential penalty cited by the regulator is A$54.6 million.
According to eSafety, Telegram is widely used in Australia and provides large group and broadcast features that allow content to reach significant audiences. The regulator stated that the platform’s structure creates responsibilities to address the hosting, sharing, and distribution of harmful material.
Moreover, the case follows previous regulatory action involving Telegram. In February 2025, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner issued a A$1 million fine against Telegram for failing to respond within required timelines to questions about its handling of child abuse and extremist material.
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Global Scrutiny Around Telegram Moderation Continues
Additionally, the Australian proceedings come as Telegram faces increased international attention over its content moderation policies. Regulators in different jurisdictions have examined how the platform manages harmful material while maintaining its communication services.
Notably, the eSafety Commissioner said online radicalization has become an increasing concern in security investigations, citing comments from Australia’s intelligence community about the role of online platforms in extremist activity.
Even so, the regulator also stated that Telegram’s global user base and large public channels create challenges around controlling the spread of unlawful content. Telegram allows groups with up to 200,000 users and public channels without a maximum audience limit.
The Federal Court proceedings will determine whether Telegram breached Australia’s online safety requirements and what penalties or orders may apply.
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