Telegram Ban in India under Review Amidst Investigation

Telegram faces scrutiny in India for its role in illegal activities, risking a nationwide Telegram ban in India. Ongoing investigation may lead to a ban on Telegram due to its alleged involvement in illegal activities.

Investigation Driven by Rising Concerns

Indian authorities are ramping up their investigation into the messaging app Telegram, spurred by growing concerns over its use for extortion and gambling activities, according to a report by Moneycontrol. The probe is being led by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The outcome of this investigation could potentially lead to a ban on the app.

Arrest of Telegram’s CEO Heightens Scrutiny

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), initiated the investigation following the arrest of Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov in Paris on August 24. Durov’s arrest was reportedly linked to the app’s moderation policies, which have been criticized for failing to curb criminal activities on the platform. The incident has garnered widespread attention, with tech billionaire Elon Musk and whistleblower Edward Snowden publicly condemning the arrest.

Telegram Ban in India

The report suggested that the findings of the investigation would play a crucial role in determining the final decision. Telegram, in its defense, complies with India’s Information Technology (IT) Rules, which require the appointment of a nodal officer, a chief compliance officer, and the regular publication of monthly compliance reports.