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Telegram being used for spreading pornography, cyberattacks
New Delhi: The Central Government has made explosive allegations against messaging platform Telegram, telling the Delhi High Court that the app has effectively become the "new dark web" and is increasingly being used by criminals, cyber fraudsters, extremist groups and other threat actors to evade law enforcement agencies.
In an affidavit filed before the court, the government claimed that Telegram has evolved into a major hub for a wide range of illegal activities, including the circulation of leaked examination papers such as NEET, cyber fraud, terrorism-linked propaganda, child sexual exploitation material, drug trafficking and financial crimes.
According to the Centre, Telegram's encrypted communication system, anonymous channels and large-scale group features have enabled criminal networks to operate with relative ease while making it difficult for authorities to track offenders. The government argued that such misuse poses serious risks to national security, public safety and child protection.
The affidavit further stated that Telegram is being increasingly exploited by cybercriminals for phishing scams, financial fraud, malware distribution and coordinated cyberattacks. Authorities also raised concerns over the platform's alleged role in facilitating the spread of illegal and harmful content, including child sexual abuse material.
Government's submission comes
The government's submission comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Telegram's operations in India, particularly following controversies surrounding the alleged circulation of leaked NEET examination papers and other sensitive content through Telegram channels.
The Delhi High Court is currently hearing matters related to the platform and the government's regulatory actions, with the case expected to have significant implications for encrypted messaging services and digital platform accountability in India.
The Centre has maintained that while technology platforms play an important role in communication, they must also ensure compliance with Indian laws and cooperate with law enforcement agencies to prevent misuse by criminal and anti-national elements.
