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Australia’s eSafety Commissioner has filed Federal Court proceedings against Telegram, alleging the messaging platform failed to remove terrorist and violent extremist material after users reported it.
The case covers videos linked to the 2019 Christchurch mosque massacre, the 2022 Buffalo supermarket shooting and Islamic State executions. Telegram could face penalties of up to A$54.6 million if the court finds it breached Australia’s Online Safety Act.
Users Reported 12 Pro-Terror Posts in 2025
The regulator alleges Australian users reported 12 pro-terror posts on Telegram between July and October 2025. The reported material included footage associated with mass shootings and Islamic State propaganda used for radicalization.
eSafety alleges Telegram failed to remove 10 of the reported posts or block the accounts that posted them. Some content allegedly remained accessible for weeks, or as long as three months, after users alerted the company.
eSafety Says Telegram Failed to Remove 10 Reported Posts
The regulator alleges Telegram failed to detect, deter and disrupt pro-terror material across its service. Telegram channels can reach unlimited audiences, while group chats can include hundreds of participants.
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said the case followed a year-long investigation into whether Telegram met its legal obligations after becoming aware of the reported material. The court will now examine whether Telegram’s response met the standards required under Australian law.
Telegram Says It Blocked More Than 150,000 Terror-Related Communities
Telegram has rejected the regulator’s claims and said it will contest the proceedings. The company points to its anti-terrorism measures and says it has blocked more than 150,000 terrorism-related communities this year.
The platform has more than 1 billion users worldwide and attracts about 1.5 million Australian users each month. Telegram does not need a license to operate in Australia.
Regulator Says Telegram Delayed Responses in 2024
The regulator said engagement with Telegram was difficult after it first contacted the company in March 2024. Telegram allegedly went months without responding before increasing cooperation later that year.
That history is likely to form part of eSafety’s argument about whether the platform acted quickly enough after being notified. Telegram’s defense will test how it explains its moderation systems, response times and cooperation with Australian authorities.
Telegram Faces Penalties of Up to A$54.6M
The proceedings will test how far Australia can require global messaging services to detect and remove extremist material hosted on their platforms. The Online Safety Act gives eSafety powers to pursue civil penalties when online services fail to meet obligations covering illegal and pro-terror content.
The regulator can also ask the Federal Court to block access to a service in Australia, although it has not sought that order against Telegram. No penalty has been imposed, and the allegations remain unproven.
The next stage will be Telegram’s response to the Federal Court case and the regulator’s evidence showing when the reported material was identified, how long it remained available and whether the platform’s response met Australian law.
