Telegram Under Pressure as Australia Launches Terror-Linked Action Amid Founder Controversy

Telegram is facing legal action in Australia and could be hit with a fine of up to $38 million for allegedly failing to remove terrorist-related content from its platform.

Australian regulators have taken the messaging company to court, accusing it of not removing extremist material, including video footage from the March 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks in New Zealand, which resulted in the deaths of 51 people.

Julie Inman-Grant, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, said Telegram may have breached obligations under the Online Safety Act and could face a maximum penalty of $38 million.

According to Inman-Grant, the case centers on content tied to some of the most notorious extremist attacks in recent years, including material associated with the Christchurch and Buffalo shootings.

Telegram rejected the accusations and said it would contest the matter in court. The company said its efforts to combat terrorism are well established, claiming that thousands of extremist communities were blocked from the platform in 2026.

The app, which serves as a major hub for crypto communities, including blockchain project channels, trading groups, bots, and Web3 applications, did not immediately respond to CoinDesk’s request for additional information.

The Australian case comes one day after Russian authorities brought charges against Telegram founder Pavel Durov, accusing him of enabling terrorist activity by allowing the platform to be used for recruitment efforts allegedly linked to Ukrainian intelligence agencies. Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) reportedly placed Durov on its wanted list.

Durov was previously detained in France in 2024 over allegations that Telegram failed to adequately moderate criminal activity on the platform. He was later released, although the investigation remains ongoing.

Telegram has said Durov currently resides in Dubai and holds dual citizenship in France and the United Arab Emirates.