Telegram back under government's scanner, gets Centre's notice over online piracy

The Centre's latest notice to Telegram over the alleged circulation of pirated films and OTT content is not the first time the messaging platform has come under the government's scanner.

Over the past few years, Telegram has repeatedly figured in investigations involving copyright infringement, examination paper leaks and the spread of unlawful content, making it one of the most closely watched digital platforms in India.

According to reports, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has directed Telegram to disable access to more than 3,100 channels accused of distributing copyrighted content following complaints from OTT platforms and media companies. The ministry has also sought an Action Taken Report from the platform.

The action comes amid growing concerns over the use of messaging platforms for distributing copyrighted content. Unlike conventional piracy websites, Telegram allows users to create public and private channels, share large files and distribute content to thousands of subscribers within minutes.

These features have made the platform popular among users, but they have also attracted piracy networks that circulate newly released films, web series and live sports broadcasts.

The latest notice follows previous regulatory action against Telegram in India. The latest notice comes weeks after Telegram came under the Centre's scanner during the NEET-UG 2026 controversy. The government had temporarily restricted access to the platform and disabled its message-editing feature for a limited period, citing concerns over the misuse of Telegram by exam fraud networks and the creation of fabricated paper leak evidence.

The platform has also received court directions in multiple copyright cases filed by film producers and broadcasters seeking the removal of infringing content. Indian courts have, on several occasions, directed digital intermediaries to take down content that violates copyright or assist investigating agencies in identifying users linked to such activities.

India's legal framework places certain obligations on digital intermediaries under the Information Technology Act and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. These rules require intermediaries to act on lawful directions issued by courts or competent government authorities and to exercise due diligence in dealing with unlawful content hosted on their platforms.

The Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023 also strengthened India's anti-piracy framework by introducing stricter provisions against the unauthorised recording and transmission of films, complementing existing copyright laws.

While piracy has traditionally been associated with dedicated websites, enforcement agencies have increasingly focused on messaging applications and file-sharing platforms as content distribution methods evolve.