Telegram Faces Investigation in India Over Extortion, Gambling Concerns

Telegram, a popular messaging app, is currently under investigation by the Indian government for its alleged involvement in criminal activities like extortion and gambling. The probe, which is being conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), could lead to the platform being banned in India, depending on the findings.

The investigation began just days after Telegram’s CEO and founder, Pavel Durov, was arrested in Paris on August 24. Durov, 39, was reportedly detained for failing to prevent criminal activities on the platform. The arrest has sparked global scrutiny of Telegram’s content moderation policies, with many questioning the platform’s role in facilitating illegal activities.

According to a government official who spoke to Moneycontrol on August 25, the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), which operates under the MHA, and MeitY are focusing on the peer-to-peer communications that take place on Telegram. The official, who requested anonymity, mentioned that the probe is specifically targeting criminal activities like extortion and gambling that have been linked to the app.

The official did not rule out the possibility of Telegram being blocked in India, stating that the decision would depend on the results of the investigation. With over 5 million registered users in India, Telegram has become a significant communication tool, but its misuse for criminal purposes has raised serious concerns.

In recent years, Telegram has gained notoriety for being a platform where illegal activities thrive. Scams on the app have reportedly cost Indian citizens crores of rupees. The platform was also in the spotlight during the UGC-NEET controversy, where the medical entrance exam question paper was leaked and allegedly sold on Telegram for prices ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000.

Despite these issues, the investigation by I4C and MeitY is not related to the Information Technology (IT) Rules, according to the government official. The official clarified that Telegram is compliant with the IT rules, which require platforms to appoint a nodal officer and a chief compliance officer and to publish monthly compliance reports.

However, the lack of a local office for Telegram in India complicates the investigation. “There is difficulty in dealing with Telegram because they have no presence in India,” the official said, noting that this absence hinders direct communication and makes it challenging for authorities to request user data.

French authorities arrested Pavel Durov at Bourget airport outside Paris, reportedly as part of an investigation into the lack of moderators on Telegram, which allegedly allowed criminal activities to continue unchecked on the platform. In response, Telegram issued a statement on August 26, saying, “Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe. Almost a billion users globally use Telegram as a means of communication and as a source of vital information. We’re awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation. Telegram is with you all… It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner is responsible for abuse of that platform.”

Telegram has faced scrutiny in India before. In October, the IT ministry issued notices to Telegram and other social media platforms, directing them to remove child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Additionally, on May 23, the government blocked several encrypted messaging platforms based on recommendations from the home ministry, including Briar, Element, and Wickr Me, among others.

Pavel Durov’s arrest has drawn sharp criticism from prominent tech figures. Edward Snowden, the former NSA whistleblower, called the arrest an “assault on the basic human rights of speech and association.” American entrepreneur Balaji Srinivasan suggested that the French government’s actions were more about control than crime prevention, while Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin expressed concerns about the future of communication freedom in Europe.

As the investigation continues, the future of Telegram in India remains uncertain. The findings of the probe will determine whether the platform will face stricter regulations or a complete ban in the country.