New Delhi | The Indian government’s concerns over Telegram, one of the country’s most widely used messaging platforms with more than 150 million users, have intensified following the findings of an internal report prepared by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The report alleges that the platform has been widely used for the circulation of child sexual abuse material, cyber fraud schemes, fake job scams and other illegal activities. It also states that authorities are actively monitoring suspicious groups and channels operating on the platform.
The findings were contained in a 35-page report submitted before a court as part of the government’s defence of a week-long restriction imposed on Telegram. The temporary ban was introduced after allegations that NEET examination question papers had been leaked through the platform. Although the restriction was later lifted, certain platform features reportedly remained subject to temporary limitations.
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According to the report, Telegram’s privacy architecture has emerged as a major concern for investigators. Officials noted that users can communicate without publicly displaying their phone numbers, making identification and tracing of individuals involved in suspicious activities significantly more difficult. Authorities believe this feature has made the platform attractive to cybercriminals seeking anonymity.
The report claims that since 2023, authorities have received more than 688,000 complaints linking Telegram to cyber fraud. The alleged financial losses associated with these complaints are estimated at approximately $750 million, or more than ₹6,400 crore. Investigators allege that cybercriminals use private groups and channels to conduct investment scams, job frauds, fake loan schemes and other financial crimes.
Government agencies also included screenshots in the report that allegedly showed fake job advertisements, child sexual abuse and exploitation material, as well as pirated copies of films being shared on the platform. Officials stated that between January and May 2026 alone, authorities recorded 1,556 complaints related to online harassment and the circulation of child sexual abuse content linked to Telegram.
The report further noted that Telegram’s structure differs significantly from many other messaging services because of its large public channels and groups that can accommodate thousands of users. Investigators argue that while these features support large-scale communication, they can also be exploited to rapidly distribute illegal content and fraudulent schemes.
Telegram, however, has contested several of the allegations. During court proceedings, the company reportedly stated that an internal review found illegal content accounted for less than 0.1 per cent of all material shared on the platform. Telegram also maintained that it has deployed automated detection systems and other technical measures over the years, claiming to have virtually eliminated the public spread of child sexual abuse material. Despite these assertions, differences remain between the company’s position and the government’s assessment.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said encrypted and large group-based platforms can become attractive tools for cybercriminals if robust monitoring and rapid enforcement mechanisms are not in place. According to him, messaging platforms are increasingly being misused for investment scams, job frauds, digital arrest scams, mule account operations and data-leak networks. He advised users to independently verify any investment opportunity, job offer or financial proposal shared through unknown channels before taking action.
The debate over platform accountability, user privacy and online safety is expected to continue as authorities examine additional regulatory and legal measures. Industry observers believe the outcome of these proceedings could have significant implications for the governance of digital platforms and online communication services in India.
