Telegram Fined $640K in Australia Over Delayed Online Safety Response

Australia’s eSafety Commission has fined messaging platform Telegram A$1 million ($640,000) for failing to meet a deadline in responding to inquiries about its efforts to combat child abuse and extremist content. The commission had requested information from Telegram, Reddit, and other social platforms in March 2024, demanding details on their content moderation strategies. Telegram, however, submitted its response five months late in October, leading to the hefty penalty.

eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant emphasized that transparency is a legal obligation in Australia, not an option. She stated that Telegram’s delay hindered the regulator’s ability to enforce online safety measures. Australia has been tightening scrutiny on digital platforms, with its intelligence agency revealing that one in five priority counter-terrorism cases involve minors.

Telegram defended itself, asserting that it had fully complied with eSafety’s questions by the end of 2024 and that the fine was unfair and excessive. The company announced plans to appeal. If Telegram refuses to pay, eSafety intends to escalate the matter to court.

The penalty adds to Telegram’s mounting regulatory challenges worldwide. Its founder, Pavel Durov, is under investigation in France over allegations of illegal activities facilitated through the platform. Despite Durov’s denial of any wrongdoing, global regulators continue to push for greater transparency and accountability from major tech companies.

Grant underscored the need for tech firms to take responsibility for preventing their platforms from being exploited for harmful content. She warned that failure to comply with transparency laws would result in legal consequences.

This case highlights Australia’s firm stance on online safety and its push for stricter oversight of digital platforms to protect users from harmful online content.