Telegram gets 15-day notice from I&B Ministry to curb pirated films and copyrighted content

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has issued a notice to Telegram directing the messaging platform to strengthen its systems to detect, remove and prevent the circulation of pirated films, OTT content, and other copyrighted audio-visual material. It has been given 15 days to submit an action taken report detailing the measures it has implemented to prevent, detect and remove infringing content from its platform.

In its communication, the government said Telegram must improve mechanisms for identifying, reporting, disabling access to and removing pirated content. It also directed the platform to take action against repeat offenders, including channels, groups, bots, user accounts, administrators, and associated entities involved in copyright infringement.

The ministry has additionally sought details of Telegram's grievance redressal system for film producers, OTT platforms, and law-enforcement agencies to assess how copyright complaints are being handled.

According to the ministry, it had earlier acted against more than 3,000 Telegram channels found to be distributing pirated content. The platform was banned for a period of six days ahead of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) re-examination last month over allegations that it was the avenue through which questions papers were leaked.

The government reminded Telegram that, as an intermediary, it is required to observe due diligence obligations under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. It stressed that the platform cannot "simply wait" for authorities to identify piracy channels one at a time, adding that a reactive, channel-by-channel takedown approach may not be sufficient to demonstrate compliance with the law.

Also Read: Telegram notice may not have legal backing: IFF

This follows several measures by the ministry of electronics and IT (MeitY) last week aimed at cracking down against wrongdoing on social media platforms. On Friday, minister of electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw directed officials to issue a summons to Meta over Instagram ads allegedly promoting child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in India.

A BBC investigation alleged that Meta-owned Instagram has been running paid advertisements promoting CSAM in the country. The ads use phrases such as “rape video” and “child video,” and link users to channels on Telegram, it said.

MeitY also issued a notice to WhatsApp asking it to pause the launch of usernames until consultations on the matter are completed. The government is concerned this may lead to an increase in impersonation, fraud and cybercrime. Meta executives met government officials on Friday to explain the move and have been asked to respond to the notice within the timeline.

The ministry told Telegram on Saturday that copyright infringement is not merely a civil dispute but a criminal offence under the Copyright Act, 1957, and the Cinematograph Act, 1952. It warned that the continued availability of pirated content, evasive compliance or an incomplete response to the notice could invite further examination and action under the applicable legal framework.

The government said the action is aimed at protecting India's creator economy, including the interests of the film industry, broadcasters, OTT platforms, producers and distributors that continue to face losses from digital piracy.