Indian Government Launches Investigation into Telegram Following CEO’s Arrest

The Indian government has initiated an investigation into the popular messaging platform, Telegram, following the recent arrest of its CEO, Pavel Durov. This decision comes amid allegations that the application has been involved in criminal activities, including extortion and gambling.

The investigation is being conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, focusing on Telegram’s use in connection with various illegal activities. Reports suggest that if the investigation finds the app culpable, it may face a ban in India.

With approximately 5 million registered users in India, the government’s scrutiny of Telegram is significant. The investigation will particularly focus on peer-to-peer communications and the potential role of the app in facilitating unlawful acts.

Following Pavel Durov’s arrest at the Borget airport in France, there has been widespread media attention on the implications for Telegram. The arrest was part of a police inquiry into the platform’s moderation practices, which have been criticized for allowing criminal activities to operate without intervention.