Telegram Under Scrutiny in India Amid Criminal Activity Concerns

Telegram, the widely-used messaging application, is currently facing increased scrutiny in India due to its alleged involvement in various criminal activities. The platform has been identified as a key medium for distributing leaked exam papers, child pornography, stock price manipulation, and extortion activities.

Cyber experts, law enforcement officials, and former government representatives have drawn comparisons between Telegram and the dark web, indicating concerns about its alleged facilitation of illegal operations. This heightened attention follows the recent detention of Telegram’s CEO, Pavel Durov, in France on August 24, for failing to effectively address the criminal activities reported on the platform.

The French authorities’ investigation into Durov includes allegations of illicit transactions, child pornography, fraud, and a lack of cooperation with law enforcement agencies. In response to these claims, Telegram maintains that it is illogical to hold a platform or its owner accountable for the misuse of its services.

Launched in 2013 by Pavel and Nikolai Durov, Telegram has witnessed significant growth, with its user base expanding to 950 million from 550 million in 2022. On July 24, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) uncovered a stock price manipulation scheme operating through Telegram, leading to criminal charges against a group administrator who allegedly received ₹20 lakh for his role in the scheme.

Further complicating matters, on May 3, two individuals from Bhopal were arrested for defrauding a local doctor of ₹38 lakh by using Telegram to impersonate police officers and engage in a fabricated interrogation. Additionally, a major exam controversy erupted on June 19, 2023, when a UGC-NET exam, involving approximately 900,000 applicants, was canceled after a question paper leak was traced back to Telegram.

The Indian Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, confirmed the match between leaked questions and original materials, stating, “It is a challenge to track the complex nature of Telegram without a high-level investigation.” A federal investigation is currently underway, following the significant allegations that have emerged.

Law enforcement officials express that Telegram’s anonymity features present considerable challenges in combating illegal activities. A senior officer from the Delhi Police cybercrime unit reported that investment fraud is one of the most prevalent scams associated with the app, where users are added to groups that promote investment in fake stock trading applications.

The ongoing issues with Telegram’s platform have garnered attention from multiple parties, highlighting the urgent need for regulatory response to curb the misuse of messaging applications in India.