UK Opens Investigation Into Telegram

UK regulator for communication services, Ofcom, has launched a probe into Telegram. It wants to assess if the app is complying with laws around preventing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) from being shared on the platform.

Ofcom stated it would launch the investigation under its Online Safety Act, while opening up parallel probes into teen chat sites Teen Chat and Chat Avenue, examining if they are doing their duties to prevent children from the risk of being groomed by predators. On Telegram, Ofcom explained it was illegal in the UK to share or have CSAM, and providers of user-to-user services are required to assess and mitigate the risk of this horrific crime being perpetrated on their platforms.

The watchdog said it will work closely with law enforcement agencies and other organisations to identify platforms that are susceptible to being used by offenders for the sharing of image-based CSAM. It added that it has received evidence from the Centre for Child Protection in Canada, regarding the alleged presence and sharing of CSAM on Telegram.

“In light of this, we have decided to open an investigation to examine whether Telegram has failed, or is failing, to comply with its duties in relation to illegal content,” Ofcom added. It will first gather evidence to analyze if a breach has occurred before issuing a provisional decision on a company. It will then allow the company to react before it makes a final decision.