Ofcom investigates Telegram for child abuse material sharing

Ofcom, the United Kingdom's communications regulator, has initiated an investigation into Telegram, a popular messaging service, due to evidence suggesting its platform is being used to share child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The probe, conducted under the UK's Online Safety Act, will determine if Telegram is fulfilling its legal obligations to protect users from illegal content, as reported by Bleeping Computer.

The investigation was prompted by evidence from the Canadian Centre for Child Protection and Ofcom's own assessment, which indicated the presence and dissemination of CSAM on Telegram. Despite Telegram's claims of having "virtually eliminated" public CSAM since 2018 and expressing surprise at the investigation, Ofcom is proceeding to examine potential failures in compliance. This action is part of a broader regulatory push, as Ofcom is also investigating Teen Chat, Chat Avenue, and X (formerly Twitter) for related online safety concerns, including child grooming and the generation of explicit content.

Should Telegram be found non-compliant, Ofcom has the authority to impose significant fines, potentially up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue. In severe cases, Ofcom could seek court orders to block access to the service within the UK.

Source: Bleeping Computer