Telegram Under Investigation in India Amidst Concerns Over Criminal Misuse, But No Immediate Ban Imposed

Telegram, a widely used messaging platform within the cryptocurrency community, is currently under scrutiny in India. However, according to multiple reports, there is no immediate threat of a ban on the app.

India’s cybercrime unit has launched an investigation into Telegram, focusing on its potential misuse in criminal activities. According to a report by Moneycontrol, if the agency finds sufficient evidence, a ban could be imposed in the world’s largest democracy.

This probe is being led by the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre, which operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs, in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

Despite these concerns, sources from the Ministry of Home Affairs have stated that a ban on Telegram is not imminent. These unnamed officials informed Republic News that Telegram is currently in compliance with India’s Information Technology (IT) rules.

The ongoing investigation is reportedly centered on the alleged misuse of the platform in a significant scandal involving the leak of exam papers for the nation’s undergraduate medical program admissions.

Further fueling the situation, news agency PTI reported that MeitY has sought an update from the Home Ministry following the recent arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov in France. The request aims to clarify whether any violations of Indian laws have occurred.

India has a history of banning apps over national security concerns, such as the previous ban on TikTok and 58 other Chinese apps following border conflicts with China. However, efforts to challenge WhatsApp, owned by Meta, in court have faced obstacles, with WhatsApp’s legal team asserting that breaking encryption would force the platform to exit India.

A potential ban on Telegram could significantly impact India’s burgeoning web3 ecosystem, according to industry leaders. Ayush Ranjan, CEO of Huddle01, warned that a ban would disrupt communication for over 300 web3 projects in India, affecting both business development and the pricing of project tokens. He emphasized that millions of Indians actively use Telegram, and a ban would force users to switch to alternative platforms.

India has also taken action against foreign cryptocurrency exchanges in the past, though some bans were later overturned after the exchanges obtained licenses. The situation with Telegram remains fluid, with no immediate comment from the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre or Telegram.

In conclusion, while Telegram is under investigation in India, reports suggest that there is currently no immediate risk of a ban. The outcome of the investigation will determine the platform’s future in the country, potentially affecting millions of users and the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem.