Telegram was briefly removed from Apple’s App Store over an alleged case involving child sexual abuse material (CSAM), before being restored. The incident has triggered criticism over Apple’s enforcement policies and renewed scrutiny of Telegram’s handling of illegal and extremist content.
What Telegram said about Apple’s action
In an emailed statement shared with a business publication, Telegram said: “Apple reported one user sharing CSAM that was immediately banned. Telegram has removed more than 337,900 groups and channels related to CSAM in 2026.”
On X, they questioned Apple’s approach, writing: “I’m sure this stance will be applied equally to all other apps in the store, in the future right?” It also highlighted 29,640 CSAM-related removals in 2025 following reports from NGOs including the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
Apple faces criticism over the removal
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney, a long-time critic of Apple and its 30% App Store fee, criticised the move even after it was restored. He said: “Apple’s App Store desperately needs competition worldwide. Apple capriciously removes a vital communication and privacy tool from availability to a billion users, and sadly this is business as usual.”
Sweeney added: “Apple has stated they removed the app from availability to a billion users because a Telegram user posted something horrible and illegal…Such arbitrary policy enforcement, by a monopoly gatekeeper, creates a perfect storm of fear and acquiescence by developers who are victims of Apple’s monopoly.”
Telegram faces wider scrutiny
Late last month, Russian authorities charged Telegram CEO Pavel Durov with aiding terrorism. Russia’s FSB alleged Telegram failed to remove “numerous channels, chats and bots” allegedly used by “Ukrainian intelligence agencies, terrorist and extremist organizations to prepare and coordinate acts of sabotage and terrorism, mass murder, and cyber fraud” in Russia, claiming “numerous human casualties.” Telegram responded on X with a photo of Durov.
Durov was born in St. Petersburg, lives in Dubai and holds UAE and French citizenship. His estimated net worth is $6.6 billion, ranking him the world’s 601st-richest person.
Australia’s internet safety watchdog also initiated legal action against Telegram over alleged extremist content, including white supremacist mass shootings and ISIS beheadings. They said it would “contest them in court.”
In 2024, French authorities arrested Durov and indicted him over allegations involving CSAM, narcotics, fraud and money laundering. Telegram denied the allegations, saying Durov “has nothing to hide” and it was “absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform.”
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream LinkedIn | The Mainstream Facebook | The Mainstream Youtube | The Mainstream Twitter
About us:
The Mainstream is a premier platform delivering the latest updates and informed perspectives across the technology business and cyber landscape. Built on research-driven, thought leadership and original intellectual property, The Mainstream also curates summits & conferences that convene decision makers to explore how technology reshapes industries and leadership. With a growing presence in India and globally across the Middle East, Africa, ASEAN, the USA, the UK and Australia, The Mainstream carries a vision to bring the latest happenings and insights to 8.2 billion people and to place technology at the centre of conversation for leaders navigating the future.