Will Telegram Be Banned in India? Here’s What You Need to Know
Government Investigation into Telegram
The Indian government is currently probing Telegram, a widely-used messaging app, amid concerns over its potential involvement in illegal activities like extortion and gambling. This investigation is being spearheaded by the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), which operates under both the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The outcome of this probe could potentially lead to a ban on Telegram in India.
Recent Developments
This investigation comes in the wake of Pavel Durov’s recent arrest. The founder and CEO of Telegram was detained by French authorities in Paris on August 24. Reports indicate that his arrest was linked to issues with Telegram’s moderation practices, which have been criticized for not effectively curbing criminal activities on the platform. An anonymous government source revealed to Moneycontrol that Telegram is under heightened scrutiny.
Telegram’s Role in Criminal Activities
Telegram has become a focal point for Indian authorities due to its alleged connection to various criminal activities. With over 5 million users in India, the app has been implicated in several scams and financial losses. One prominent case involved the leak of a medical entrance exam question paper on Telegram, which was sold for Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000. This incident led to student protests and intervention by the Supreme Court. The ongoing investigation by I4C and MeitY is scrutinizing Telegram’s role in illegal activities such as extortion and gambling.
Challenges with Regulation
One of the major hurdles in regulating Telegram is its lack of a physical office in India. Indian IT Rules mandate that platforms have local compliance officers and submit monthly reports. Without a local presence, Telegram has been challenging for authorities to manage, complicating efforts to obtain user data and oversee operations. This absence has made it more difficult to enforce regulations and address related issues effectively.
Reactions to Pavel Durov’s Arrest
Pavel Durov’s arrest has intensified the focus on Telegram. Durov was detained at Bourget airport near Paris over issues related to the app’s moderation policies. In response, Telegram stated on August 26 that Durov frequently travels across Europe and has nothing to hide. The company highlighted that nearly a billion users globally depend on Telegram and expressed hope for a swift resolution. The arrest has drawn reactions from various tech community figures. Edward Snowden criticized it as an attack on free speech, while entrepreneur Balaji Srinivasan suggested that the French government might be more interested in control than in preventing crime. Elon Musk questioned why other tech leaders, such as Mark Zuckerberg, have not faced similar scrutiny.
Previous Scrutiny and Potential Impact
Telegram has faced scrutiny in India before. In October, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issued directives for Telegram and other platforms to remove child sexual abuse material (CSAM). In May, several encrypted messaging services, including Briar, Element, and Wickr Me, were blocked due to misuse concerns. The IT ministry also considered blocking Proton Mail after it was used for hoax bomb threats, but Swiss authorities intervened to prevent the ban. As the investigation progresses, its outcome could have significant implications for Telegram’s operations in India and may spark a broader debate about regulating encrypted communication services in the country.
source: firstpost.com
