Australia Sues Telegram Over Failure to Remove Extremist Content

The legal action centers on footage associated with the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks in New Zealand and the 2022 Buffalo supermarket shooting in the United States. Commissioner Julie Inman Grant stated that these videos remained accessible to users long after the platform was formally notified of their presence. Under Australian law, digital services are mandated to restrict access to violent extremist content within specific timeframes.

Telegram has rejected the claims, confirming its intent to contest the case in court. A company spokesperson argued that their moderation efforts are robust, citing the removal of thousands of extremist communities throughout 2026. This clash in Australia follows a period of mounting international pressure on Telegram founder Pavel Durov. Russian authorities recently placed Durov on an international wanted list over alleged ties to Ukrainian intelligence and terrorist groups, while a separate criminal investigation remains active in France concerning the platform's role in organized crime and child safety failures. Durov has consistently maintained that he cannot be held personally liable for user-generated content.