Telegram – Centre Seeks Stronger Action Against Pirated Film Content
Telegram – The Union government has issued a notice to Telegram, asking the messaging platform to take stronger measures against the circulation of pirated movies, OTT shows and other copyrighted audio-visual material. Officials said the notice reflects a wider push to make digital platforms more accountable for preventing copyright violations.
Ministry Seeks Response Within 15 Days
According to officials, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has asked Telegram to submit an Action Taken Report within 15 days. The report is expected to explain the steps taken by the platform to identify, remove and prevent the reappearance of channels or groups involved in sharing unauthorised content.
The ministry’s move signals a shift away from relying only on individual takedown requests. Instead, the government is seeking stronger systems that can address piracy at a broader level before copyrighted material is widely circulated.
Copyright Violations Carry Criminal Liability
Officials said Telegram has been informed that copyright infringement can lead to criminal action under the Copyright Act, 1957, as well as the Cinematograph Act, 1952. The government has underlined that the issue is not limited to civil disputes between content owners and users.
The notice reportedly states that platforms cannot depend entirely on authorities to locate and report every piracy channel separately. A response limited to removing content only after receiving complaints may not meet the due diligence standards required under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Information Technology Rules, 2021.
Details of Grievance System Requested
The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has also sought information about Telegram’s grievance redressal process for film producers, OTT services, broadcasters and law enforcement agencies. The government wants clarity on how copyright holders can report violations and how quickly such complaints are handled.
As an intermediary, Telegram is required to follow due diligence obligations under India’s IT laws. Officials indicated that the platform has been reminded of its responsibility to act against illegal content and cooperate with authorised agencies when required.
Wider Scrutiny of Online Platforms Continues
The development comes shortly after the government initiated separate regulatory action involving Meta. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology had issued a notice related to a proposed username feature on WhatsApp and later decided to summon Meta over advertisements on Instagram that were allegedly linked to child sexual abuse material.
While the matters involve different platforms and concerns, they point to increased regulatory attention on how major online services manage harmful or unlawful material.
Further Action May Follow
Officials said continued availability of pirated content, incomplete compliance or an inadequate response could lead to further examination under applicable laws. The government has said the action is aimed at protecting India’s creator economy, including filmmakers, broadcasters, producers, distributors and OTT platforms.
The notice places renewed focus on the role of messaging services in limiting the spread of illegal copies of films and digital programmes. It also highlights the government’s expectation that platforms use proactive measures rather than responding only after specific piracy channels are flagged.