# Australian eSafety Commissioner Sues Telegram for Breaching Online Safety Law

*Australia's cyber safety watchdog has initiated court proceedings against Telegram, alleging the messaging platform failed to remove terrorism-related material despite legal notices.*

July 30, 2026 · Technology

Australia's eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, announced legal action against Telegram on Thursday, alleging the global messaging platform breached the country's online safety law by failing to remove terrorist content. Under Australian law, Telegram faces a maximum penalty of up to AU$54.6 million ($38 million) for non-compliance.

## Allegations of Non-Compliance

The eSafety Commissioner claims Telegram did not remove pro-terror material, including videos of terrorist executions and mass shootings, despite being notified. This content included footage from the 2019 Christchurch Mosque shooting and the 2022 Buffalo mass shooting in New York. 'When platforms are alerted to terrorist content, they must act,' Inman Grant stated during a press conference in Sydney.

## Heightened Security Concerns

This legal action comes amid a heightened security environment in Australia, particularly following the antisemitic mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney last year, which resulted in 15 deaths. The eSafety Commissioner emphasized the importance of platforms taking swift action against terrorist content to protect public safety.

The development follows Russia's announcement that it is seeking the arrest of Telegram's founder and CEO, Pavel Durov, alleging his complicity in terrorism. Durov, who holds French and UAE passports, has been accused of allowing the platform to be used for recruitment by Ukraine's security services. In 2024, Durov was arrested by French police on charges related to the distribution of illegal content but was later released on bail.

## Sources

- BSS

---
Source: https://pulsetoday.com.bd/en/technology/australia-regulator-sues-telegram-online-safety-law