Telegram ban in India trends as government probes the WhatsApp rival

Telegram ban in India became one of the most-searched terms on Google, following the government’s swift action against the encrypted messaging platform to investigate its alleged involvement in illegal activities. The government is probing the platform for its misuse in gambling, extortion, and being instrumental in the recent NEET-UG paper leak. Sources within the Ministry of Home Affairs told Republic that Telegram is fully compliant with the Indian laws, which is also why it is allowed to operate in the country. However, should the investigation lead to evidence proving the allegations against Telegram, a ban on the WhatsApp rival with more than 900 monthly active users is likely.

The backstory

The Indian government launched an investigation soon after Telegram’s chief executive officer Pavel Durov was arrested at the Le-Bourget Airport outside Paris when he was about to embark a private jet to Azerbaijan. The police said the arrest is part of a preliminary investigation into Telegram’s role in providing its users a platform to conduct criminal activities. While Durov is currently in custody, Telegram released a statement, criticising the arrest. “Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe,” said Telegram in a post on its public channel. “Almost a billion users globally use Telegram as a means of communication and as a source of viral information. We’re awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation,” it said.

Telegram’s future in India

The ongoing investigation into Telegram’s role in promoting gambling, providing users a platform for extortion, gambling, and circulating the leaked NEET-UG paper will decide the fate of the app in India. Ministry of Home Affairs sources told Republic that the outcomes of the investigation, if proven, may lead to a ban on the service. However, there is no order on blocking Telegram services in India and users can continue to use the app until the investigation is over.