Telegram faces Australian terror lawsuit as Russia charges founder simultaneously

Australia's eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman-Grant initiated legal proceedings against Telegram, alleging the messaging platform failed to comply with the Online Safety Act by retaining material linked to extremist attacks. The platform faces a potential fine of up to $38 million under the Act. The lawsuit came one day after Russia announced charges against founder Pavel Durov.

The Australian case targets Telegram's alleged failure to remove content associated with multiple incidents of extremist violence. The material cited includes video of the March 2019 shooting at a Christchurch, New Zealand mosque in which 51 people were murdered and content linked to the Buffalo terror attack, according to reporting by CoinDesk. Inman-Grant stated Telegram faced the fine for failing to comply with its obligations under the Online Safety Act.

Durov's legal exposure has now expanded to three jurisdictions. On July 29, Russia announced charges against him for allegedly aiding terrorism by allowing the app to be used for recruitment by Ukrainian secret services. Russia's Federal Security Service placed Durov on a wanted list. Durov was arrested and placed under investigation in France in 2024 for his alleged failure to properly moderate the app to reduce criminality. He was released months later while that investigation continues. Durov resides in Dubai and holds dual citizenship of the United Arab Emirates and France.

Telegram responded to the Australian action, stating it "rejects these allegations and will contest them in court." The platform claimed its anti-terrorism efforts are substantial, noting that it blocked thousands of extremist communities in 2026 alone. That defense will be tested in the Australian proceedings.

The timing underscores heightened regulatory scrutiny of the platform, which has become infrastructure for crypto communities. Telegram is home to many crypto-related discussion groups, hosting project communities, trading groups, bots and blockchain-based mini apps, according to CoinDesk. The simultaneous legal actions in Australia and Russia signal that regulators in major jurisdictions view Telegram's content moderation as inadequate and are willing to act independently and within days of one another.

The Bottom Line: Watch the Australian court's timeline for proceedings and any defense Telegram mounts around its moderation practices. If the court finds liability, the precedent could embolden other jurisdictions to pursue similar enforcement, potentially affecting how the platform operates globally and how crypto communities use it.