Ofcom investigates Telegram over child sexual abuse material under Online Safety Act

The UK's communications regulator, Ofcom, has launched a formal investigation into Telegram over allegations that the messaging platform is failing to adequately protect users from child sexual abuse material (CSAM). This marks Ofcom's most significant enforcement action against a major messaging platform to date under the Online Safety Act 2023.

The investigation examines whether Telegram has met its legal duties to assess and mitigate risks of UK users encountering illegal content, particularly CSAM, and to remove such material swiftly when identified. The probe was triggered after the Canadian Centre for Child Protection shared evidence suggesting that CSAM was present on the platform, alongside concerns about the platform being used for grooming children. Ofcom has stated it engaged with Telegram but remained unsatisfied with the company's safety measures.

Telegram has denied the accusations, stating in a response to the BBC that it "categorically denies Ofcom's accusations." The platform has argued that it has used detection systems since 2018 to remove child sexual abuse content and that it takes the issue seriously. However, Ofcom's formal investigation indicates the regulator believes there are sufficient grounds to examine whether Telegram's compliance efforts have been adequate.

Under the Online Safety Act, Ofcom has the authority to impose substantial penalties for non-compliance, including fines of up to 10% of a company's global revenue. The investigation represents a significant test of Britain's new online safety rules as authorities increase pressure on technology platforms to protect children. The formal inquiry process typically takes several months, during which Ofcom will assess whether Telegram's safety measures meet the legal requirements set out in the legislation.