Britain’s communications watchdog Ofcom has launched an investigation into the messaging app Telegram after evidence suggested child sexual abuse material may have been shared on the platform.
The investigation comes under the framework of the Online Safety Act 2023, which already imposes stricter standards on major platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. However, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been urging tech companies to go further, including exploring a potential ban on social media use for children under 16. He recently met with industry executives to push for stronger protections.
Ofcom said it received evidence from the Canadian Centre for Child Protection about the alleged presence of illegal material on Telegram and conducted its own assessment before opening the probe. The regulator will now examine whether the platform has failed to meet its legal obligations around tackling illegal content.
Telegram rejected the claims, saying it “categorically” denies the accusations and has significantly reduced the spread of such material since 2018 through detection systems. The company also expressed concern that the investigation could signal broader pressure on platforms that emphasize privacy and free speech.
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