Telegram menace: How messaging platform poses threat to India’s digital security

Telegram, the widely-used messaging app, is under intense scrutiny in India due to its alleged role in a range of criminal activities. The platform has emerged as a prominent channel for distributing leaked exam papers, child pornography, stock price manipulation, and extortion. Cyber experts, law enforcement officials, and former government officials have compared Telegram to the dark web for its alleged involvement in such illicit operations.

The scrutiny comes after Telegram’s CEO, Pavel Durov, was detained in France on August 24. The French authorities are investigating Durov for failing to adequately address criminal activities on the platform, including the spread of child sexual abuse material.