Centre clamps down on Telegram again, demands 'anti-piracy' action within 15 days

Telegram has come again under Centre's radar over “widespread dissemination of pirated films, OTT content and other audio-visual material”. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) issued a notice to the messaging platform, asking it to take anti-piracy action within 15 days. The messaging platform

Directing Telegram to tighten anti-piracy measures, the government has sets 15-day deadline “to strengthen systems for detection, reporting, disabling access to and removal of pirated films and infringing audio-visual content.” The Ministry also instructed the messaging platform to act against infringers, including channels, groups, bots, accounts, administrators and associated entities.

“The communication signals a clear shift from piecemeal takedown to platform accountability. The Government earlier acted against over 3,000 Telegram channels carrying pirated content,” the government in a statement said. Seeking information on anti-piracy measures, it noted that it is mandatory for the platform to comply with the requirements as per IT Act and IT Rules.

Centre further warned that if Telegram failed to comply to “prevent, detect and remove pirated content from the platform” and to submit an Action Taken Report then it could attract legal action under the Copyright Act, 1957 and Cinematograph Act, 1952.

Noting that the government earlier flagged over 3,000 Telegram channels carrying pirated content, the Ministry sought details of Telegram’s grievance redressal system for producers, OTT platforms, and law-enforcement agencies. Calling for a shift from piecemeal takedown to platform accountability, the Centre clarified that a purely reactive, “channel-by-channel takedown approach may not be enough to show due diligence.”

The Ministry asserted that copyright infringement is not merely a civil violation, but a criminal offence in India and that the platform should take action immediately as it isn't government's responsibility to identify each piracy channel one by one. Suggesting that this move is directed to protect India’s creator economy, film industry, broadcasters, OTT platforms, producers, and distributors, the notice said, “The Government has made it clear that continued availability of pirated content, evasive compliance or incomplete response may invite further examination and action under the applicable legal framework.”

Centre bans Telegram

The government recently banned Telegram for a week to prevent any possible irregularities in the June 21 NEET-UG re-exam. The temporary ban on the popular messaging app was imposed on 16 June and was lifted on 23 June. During the block period, the application was removed form Google Play Store and Apple's App Store. The government imposed the ban as a measure of last resort citing its exploitation by organised cheating networks.

The government alleged that Telegram was also involved in the dissemination of misleading information and other fraudulent activities that impacted the 3 May NEET UG examination process. Government officials had flagged these concerns with Telegram representatives on 3 June before announcing the ban.

Telegram Founder and CEO Pavel Durov openly criticised the IT ministry's move for banning Telegram and the platform also moved the Delhi High Court to lift the ban. Justice Tejas Karia dismissed the petition stating that the government is “empowered ... to issue directions for blocking the public access to Telegram.” Pavel alleged that Reliance, in which Meta has a partial stake, may have lobbied, along with its competitor WhatsApp, to impose the ban on the company's app in the country.