澳大利亚网络安全监管机构eSafety Commissioner办公室向联邦法院提起诉讼，指控即时通讯平台Telegram未能删除恐怖主义和极端暴力内容，包括基督城清真寺大屠杀视频[1]。eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant表示："我们指控Telegram未能检测、制止和阻止支持恐怖的内容"[1]。这一案件被视为澳大利亚针对主要科技平台处理恐怖内容的最重大法律挑战之一[1]。
eSafety Commissioner办公室在2024年3月首次与Telegram接触后，遭遇了"五个月非常困难的无反应期"[1]。通信部长Anika Wells指出："Telegram需要向澳大利亚用户和联邦法院解释为什么它没有遵守澳大利亚法律"[1]。
Telegram全球拥有超10亿用户，其中平均每月有150万澳大利亚用户访问该平台[1]。若Telegram被判违反《在线安全法》，可能面临最高5460万美元的罚款[1]。
Australia's eSafety Commissioner has filed a lawsuit in federal court against Telegram, alleging the messaging platform failed to remove terrorist and extremely violent content, including footage from the Christchurch mosque shooting [1]. This legal action represents one of Australia's most significant challenges against a major technology company over its handling of terrorist material [1]. If found in violation of the Online Safety Act, Telegram could face penalties of up to AUD 54.6 million [1].
The eSafety Commissioner's office first contacted Telegram in March 2024, but subsequently experienced what officials described as "a very difficult five-month period of non-responsiveness" [1]. Julie Inman Grant, the eSafety Commissioner, stated: "We allege that Telegram has failed to detect, prevent and stop content supporting terrorism" [1]. Communications Minister Anika Wells added that "Telegram needs to explain to Australian users and the Federal Court why it has not complied with Australian law" [1]. The investigation spanned one year before the legal challenge was brought [1].
Telegram operates globally with over one billion users, including an average monthly user base of 1.5 million from Australia [1]. The case comes as Telegram's founder, Pavel Durov, faces multiple legal proceedings in France and Russia [1].