Telegram Hit With Terror-Related Legal Pressure in Australia as Founder Faces Russian Charges

Telegram is facing a potential fine of up to $38 million in Australia over allegations that it failed to remove terrorist-related material from its platform.

Australian regulators have launched legal action against Telegram, accusing the messaging service of not taking down extremist content, including footage connected to the March 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks in New Zealand, where 51 people were killed, according to multiple reports.

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman-Grant said Telegram could face penalties of up to $38 million for allegedly breaching requirements under the country’s Online Safety Act, the BBC reported.

“This case involves content connected to some of the most serious extremist attacks in recent history, including material linked to the Christchurch and Buffalo terrorist attacks,” Inman-Grant said in a statement cited by Reuters.

Telegram rejected the accusations, saying it plans to challenge the case in court. A company spokesperson told Reuters that the allegations were unfounded and highlighted the platform’s anti-terrorism measures, claiming that thousands of extremist groups had been removed or blocked in 2026 alone.

The company, which hosts numerous crypto-focused communities, including project channels, trading groups, bots, and blockchain-based applications, did not immediately respond to CoinDesk’s request for additional comment.

The Australian legal action comes shortly after Russian authorities filed charges against Telegram founder Pavel Durov, accusing him of supporting terrorism by allowing the platform to be used for recruitment activities allegedly linked to Ukrainian intelligence services. Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) also added Durov to its wanted list.

Durov was previously arrested in France in 2024 and investigated over claims that Telegram failed to adequately moderate illegal activity on the platform. He was later released, though the investigation remains ongoing.

According to Telegram, Durov currently lives in Dubai and holds citizenship in both the United Arab Emirates and France.