Telegram Faces Potential Ban in India Amidst Extortion and Gambling Probe

Telegram, the popular messaging app with over 5 million users in India, is under scrutiny as the Indian government investigates its role in alleged criminal activities, including extortion and gambling. Both the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology have launched a joint probe into the app’s peer-to-peer communications, raising concerns about its future in the country.

An official, speaking to Moneycontrol, revealed that the investigation is specifically focused on Telegram’s potential involvement in these illegal activities. As of now, Telegram has not issued any public statement regarding the ongoing probe.

This development in India follows recent actions in France, where Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, was arrested in Paris. French authorities have been investigating the app’s moderation policies, or lack thereof, which they believe may enable criminal activities to go undetected.

In response to these global concerns, a PTI report indicated that India’s IT Ministry has requested the Ministry of Home Affairs to review any pending complaints against Telegram and determine what actions, if any, should be taken. However, the IT Ministry has clarified that it is not directly involved in the investigation, as its focus is primarily on cybersecurity, not criminal activities.

The key question now is whether there are similar issues in India as those identified in France and what steps the government might take in response. The outcome of the ongoing investigation will be crucial in determining Telegram’s future in India.