New Delhi: The Indian government is actively monitoring activity on Telegram amid growing concerns over the platform’s alleged use for cyber fraud, child sexual abuse material (CSAM), misinformation and other illegal activities, according to a Home Ministry report reviewed by Reuters.
The report, prepared by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs, states that cybercriminals are increasingly using Telegram’s private groups and channels to conduct fraudulent activities and share illegal content. Authorities said they are “proactively monitoring” such groups and channels to identify and disrupt criminal networks operating through the platform.
Government officials have expressed concern about Telegram’s privacy features, which allow users to interact without publicly revealing their phone numbers. According to the report, these features can make it more difficult for investigators to identify offenders and trace criminal activities compared with some other messaging platforms.
The scrutiny follows a temporary nationwide restriction on Telegram earlier this month after authorities alleged that the platform was being used to spread misinformation and facilitate fraud linked to the NEET-UG medical entrance examination controversy. The restriction was later lifted, although certain features remained temporarily limited as part of ongoing oversight measures.
According to the government report, India has received more than 688,000 complaints related to cyber fraud involving Telegram since 2023, with estimated financial losses running into hundreds of millions of dollars. The report also cited complaints involving online harassment and the circulation of child sexual abuse material between January and May 2026.
Telegram has denied wrongdoing and argued that illegal content represents only a tiny fraction of activity on the platform. The company says it has invested heavily in moderation systems and has significantly reduced the spread of harmful content through automated detection technologies and enforcement measures.
India is Telegram’s largest market, with more than 150 million users, making the platform a critical communication tool for businesses, students and communities. However, the latest findings add to increasing global scrutiny of Telegram, which has faced investigations and regulatory pressure in several countries over concerns related to illegal content and online safety.
Industry experts note that the case highlights the broader challenge governments face in balancing user privacy with efforts to combat cybercrime and harmful online content. The outcome of India’s monitoring efforts could have implications for how digital platforms are regulated in one of the world’s largest internet markets.
