Australia's eSafety Commissioner filed a Federal Court lawsuit against Telegram on July 30.
Why it matters: The case could set how far Australian regulators can push platforms to answer safety requests and remove extremist material. For business and tech teams, it raises the cost of missing transparency deadlines and ignoring formal regulator notices.
- eSafety says Telegram failed to adequately address violent extremist material tied to Christchurch, Buffalo and Islamic State beheading videos.
- The regulator says Telegram received a transparency notice on March 18, 2024, and missed the May 6 deadline.
- eSafety later issued an A$957,780 infringement notice in February 2025 for the missed disclosure deadline.
- Australia says penalties under the relevant online safety law can reach A$54.6 million.
Australia's eSafety Commissioner has filed civil proceedings in the Federal Court against Telegram over alleged failures tied to violent extremist material and delayed transparency disclosures. AP
The regulator said the case concerns material linked to the Christchurch and Buffalo mass shootings, along with Islamic State beheading videos. eSafety chief Julie Inman Grant said the action is about accountability and transparency from tech platforms. eSafety
Telegram said it rejects the allegations and will contest them in court. AP
The dispute follows a March 18, 2024 transparency notice that required Telegram to answer questions about terrorist and violent extremist material and child sexual exploitation material. eSafety says Telegram missed the May 6 deadline and later provided information months late. In February 2025, the regulator issued an infringement notice for A$957,780. eSafety
Australia's Attorney-General's Department says the 2019 law covering abhorrent violent material does not require providers to monitor all content, but liability can arise if a provider becomes aware of specific material and fails to remove it expeditiously. The department says timing is assessed case by case. Attorney-General's Department
By the numbers
- A$957,780 - infringement notice eSafety issued to Telegram in February 2025
- A$54.6 million - maximum civil penalty cited by Australia for the relevant online safety contravention
- March 18, 2024 - date eSafety issued the transparency notice
Yes, but: The filing is an allegation, and Telegram says it will contest the case. The broader legal basis also matters: Australia's 2019 abhorrent violent material law and its transparency rules are related, but they are not the same provision.
What's next: The Federal Court case will now proceed, and Telegram's formal response will shape the next phase.