National News
Australia begins legal action against Telegram over alleged pro-terror material
Australia’s internet regulator said on Thursday it had begun legal action against messaging platform Telegram over alleged failings to tackle pro-terror posts, like not removing videos of terrorist executions and mass shootings.
“This case concerns content linked to some of the most notorious acts of known extremist violence in recent history, including material associated with the Christchurch and Buffalo terror attacks,” eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said in a statement. The statement also said failure to comply with Australia’s codes and standards could result in civil penalties of up to A$54.6 million ($38 million).
Telegram is one of the world’s most downloaded apps, with over 1 billion monthly active users, according to the company. The platform has become a critical source of information on Russia’s war in Ukraine and is used widely by officials in Moscow and Kyiv.
A spokesperson for Telegram did not immediately respond to a request for comment.