India May Ban Telegram Over Gambling and Extortion Allegations
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Telegram, the popular messaging app, is under serious scrutiny by the Indian government and could face a ban if the ongoing investigation finds that the platform is being used for criminal activities. The investigation is being conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
This investigation comes at a challenging time for Telegram. Just a few days ago, the app’s CEO, Pavel Durov, was arrested in France on charges related to the platform's alleged failure to prevent criminal activities, including child sexual abuse, drug trafficking, fraud, and terrorism. Now, similar concerns have emerged in India, where the app is accused of being used for extortion and gambling.
A government official mentioned that if Telegram is found guilty, it might be banned in India. This wouldn't be the first time Telegram has faced trouble in the country. Recently, the app was linked to the leaking and selling of UGC-NEET medical entrance exam papers, with prices ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 ($60 to $119). In another incident in October 2023, Telegram was summoned by the Indian Ministry of Information Technology for spreading child sexual abuse material, and the app was ordered to remove all such content.
The investigation is ongoing and could take some time to conclude, especially since Telegram does not have a local office in India, making communication between Indian authorities and the company more difficult.
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