The Indian government has formally accused the messaging platform Telegram of operating as the "new dark web," becoming a primary choice for criminal networks and terrorist organizations. This assertion was made in an affidavit filed before the Delhi High Court, where the Centre is defending its decision to temporarily ban the application.
Why Telegram is a Concern
According to the Centre’s affidavit, Telegram’s robust privacy and anonymity features are precisely what make it attractive to illicit actors. Its cloud-based architecture, combined with an expansive bot ecosystem, significantly hinders law enforcement agencies in identifying offenders and preventing illegal activities.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, highlighted that users can conceal identifiers such as phone numbers and Telegram IDs through privacy settings, making it nearly impossible for investigators to establish real identities behind accounts. This structural design, according to inputs from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs, creates persistent challenges for control.
A Hub for Diverse Illegal Activities
The government’s allegations span a wide array of unlawful activities facilitated by Telegram:
- Terrorism-Linked Propaganda: Telegram groups and channels are reportedly used to spread extremist content and material associated with terrorist organizations, aiming to destabilize public order.
- Cyber Fraud: The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal has recorded a significant rise in complaints involving Telegram-linked cyber fraud. Fraudsters use fake identities to carry out scams and coordinate cyber offenses.
- Child Sexual Exploitation Material (CSEAM): The circulation of CSEAM through Telegram groups and channels remains a major concern for enforcement agencies.
- Drug Trafficking: The platform is exploited for coordinating drug trafficking operations.
- Financial Crimes: This includes the sale and purchase of mule bank accounts, often used to launder proceeds from cybercrime.
- Leaked Examination Papers: Channels have been used to circulate sensitive information, such as leaked NEET examination papers.
- Malware Distribution: Cyber threat actors use Telegram to coordinate attacks, distribute stolen data, and share malicious software. Some Android apps reportedly use Telegram as a command-and-control platform to extract user data.
- Data Leaks and Piracy: Telegram bots are allegedly used to provide access to citizens’ personal information from leaked databases. The platform is also widely used for distributing pirated movies, web series, and copyrighted content.
The Problem with Bots and Cloud Architecture
The Centre emphasized that Telegram allows a single account holder to create up to 40 bots, a feature far more permissive than on other platforms like WhatsApp. This capability enables new accounts to emerge rapidly, even after existing ones are blocked, providing only temporary relief for authorities.
Furthermore, Telegram’s cloud-based infrastructure and privacy policy, which states that deleting an account removes all associated messages, media, and stored data, make it even harder for law enforcement to trace criminal activity and identify offenders effectively.
The affidavit serves as a crucial part of the Centre’s defense before the Delhi High Court, outlining the government’s strong concerns about the growing misuse of Telegram by criminal, extremist, and cybercrime networks.