Apple Briefly Removes Telegram Over Abuse Material
Messaging app was restored the same day after it removed the content and banned the user who posted it.
News
- Temasek, Seraphim Back Pixxel in $100 Million Round
- UN Rights Chief Warns Advanced AI Could Threaten Humanity
- Tata-owned JLR to Cut About 4,000 Bobs Amid Tariff, China Pressure
- Anthropic Walks Away From $6 Billion Decart Deal
- Hyundai India Targets 20% Women in Executive Workforce by 2030
- Security Breach Drains $320 Million in Bitcoin From Liquid Network
[Image: Nomita Samaiyar/MITSMR India]
Apple briefly removed Telegram from its App Store worldwide after finding that a user had shared child sexual abuse material through the messaging service, the companies said on Tuesday, August 4.
The app was restored on the same day after Telegram removed the content and banned the account responsible for posting it.
An Apple spokesperson said the company’s review found material that violated its rules against child sexual abuse content. Apple did not provide further details about the post or explain why the entire app was temporarily withdrawn.
Telegram, which has more than one billion monthly active users, said it maintains a “zero-tolerance” policy toward such material. The company said it had blocked nearly 338,000 groups and channels linked to child sexual abuse content this year.
Responding to Apple’s decision, Telegram questioned whether the same enforcement standard would be applied consistently to other communication services available through the App Store.
“I’m sure this stance will be applied equally to all other apps in the store, in the future, right? Apple,” Telegram said on X.
Apple took similar action in 2018, when it temporarily removed Telegram over what founder Pavel Durov described as “inappropriate content.” The app returned after Telegram strengthened its safeguards.
The incident comes as Telegram faces regulatory scrutiny in several countries over illegal material distributed through its public groups and channels.
India temporarily blocked Telegram in June ahead of the NEET medical entrance re-examination after authorities said fraud rings were using the platform to deceive candidates. The restriction ended on 22 June, while limits on message editing remained until 30 June.
A June 10 report from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, cited in Delhi High Court proceedings, documented the alleged use of Telegram for cyberattacks, malware distribution, transnational cybercrime, leaked examination papers and child sexual abuse material. The court upheld the temporary restrictions.
Britain’s communications regulator Ofcom opened an investigation in April into whether Telegram was meeting its duties under the Online Safety Act to prevent, detect and swiftly remove child sexual abuse material.
Telegram rejected the basis of the investigation and said detection systems introduced in 2018 had “virtually eliminated” the public distribution of such material on its platform.
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner fined Telegram A$957,780 in February 2025 for responding more than five months late to a notice seeking information about its measures against child sexual exploitation and violent extremist material.
