Notice to Telegram: The government believes that merely removing content after receiving a complaint is not enough.

(Government notice to Telegram)

Notice to Telegram: A new feature, usernames, was recently introduced on the social media platform WhatsApp, sparking widespread discussion. The issue has sparked widespread questioning regarding usernames, prompting the government to ban the feature. Following WhatsApp, the government has now issued a notice to Telegram as well.

In fact, to curb online piracy in India, the central government has now taken a tough stance against the messaging platform Telegram. The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has issued a notice to Telegram , directing it to strengthen its anti-piracy system within 15 days and submit a report on the action taken. The government says that a large number of pirated films, OTT content, and various copyrighted content are being shared on the platform, causing huge losses to the film industry and the creator economy.

What did the government say to Telegram?

According to the information, the Ministry has given clear instructions to Telegram to prepare a strong method for identifying, reporting, blocking access to, and removing pirated films and copyright infringing audio-video content present on its platform.

Furthermore, the government believes that simply removing content after receiving a complaint is not enough. Platforms themselves must take necessary steps to identify such content and remove it in a timely manner.

Demand for Grievance Redressal

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has also requested complete details from Telegram about its grievance redressal system. The government wants to know how filmmakers, OTT platforms, broadcasters, and law enforcement agencies can file complaints about pirated content and how quickly those complaints are processed.

Action against repeat offenders

The government has also asked Telegram to take strict action against users and networks that repeatedly share pirated content. This includes not only individual accounts but also channels, groups, bots, admins, and their associated networks. The government's move aims to dismantle entire networks that consistently distribute pirated copies of films and web series.

Report to be submitted within 15 days

The government has directed Telegram to submit a detailed Action Taken Report (ATR) within 15 days. This report will detail the steps the platform has taken to identify, block, and remove pirated content. If the report is not submitted within the stipulated time, the government may consider further action under existing legal provisions.

Responsibility under IT Act and Copyright Act

The government has informed Telegram that as an intermediary in India, it will have to take necessary precautions under the IT Act, 2000 and the IT Rules, 2021.

The government states that this action aims to protect the interests of India's rapidly growing creator economy, the film industry, OTT platforms, broadcasters, filmmakers, and distributors. The easy availability of pirated content on digital platforms will not only cause financial losses to content creators but will also have a direct impact on the industry. Therefore, the government is now taking strict steps to ensure accountability at the platform level.