Govt. asks Telegram to take proactive anti-piracy action
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has demanded that Telegram take proactive measures to detect and remove pirated content, giving the platform 15 days to respond. This move escalates ongoing issues between the government and Telegram, which has been accused of delayed action against piracy. The I&B Ministry's notice emphasizes a shift from piecemeal takedowns to platform accountability, requiring Telegram to observe due diligence under the IT Act and IT Rules, 2021. Telegram had previously complied with an order to remove over 3,100 URLs in March 2026.
Key Points
- The I&B Ministry has directed Telegram to proactively detect and remove pirated content from its platform.
- Telegram has been given 15 days to respond to the notice, marking an escalation in government scrutiny.
- The government aims for platform accountability, moving beyond individual takedown requests.
- Telegram is required to observe due diligence under the IT Act and IT Rules, 2021, regarding content moderation.
Exam Facts
- Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) issued the notice to Telegram.
- Telegram was asked to remove over 3,100 URLs in March 2026.
- Relevant legal provisions: IT Act and IT Rules, 2021.
- Section 3(1)(b) of the IT Rules, 2021, mandates intermediaries to make reasonable efforts to prevent sharing of infringing content.
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