News in Short
- Apple briefly removed Telegram from the App Store globally.
- Apple said a user shared content that violated its child sexual abuse material (CSAM) guidelines.
- Telegram removed the content and banned the user on the same day.
- The app returned to the App Store shortly after Apple reviewed the changes.
- Telegram says it has blocked nearly 338,000 groups and channels related to CSAM this year.
- The platform continues to face regulatory scrutiny over content moderation in several countries.
Telegram was briefly removed from Apple’s App Store worldwide after Apple flagged content uploaded by a single user that violated its child safety policies. The messaging platform was restored on the same day after Telegram removed the content and permanently banned the user responsible.
The incident marks the second time Apple has temporarily suspended Telegram from the App Store over content moderation concerns, following a similar action in 2018.
Why Apple removed Telegram
According to Apple, the company temporarily removed Telegram after discovering content that violated its App Store rules against child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
An Apple spokesperson said the app returned to the App Store after Telegram acted quickly by deleting the offending content and banning the account responsible.
Telegram also confirmed the incident, stating that Apple’s action stemmed from the activity of a single user rather than a broader platform-wide issue.
Telegram defends its moderation efforts
The messaging app said it maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward child sexual abuse material and highlighted its ongoing moderation efforts. According to the company, it has blocked nearly 338,000 groups and channels linked to such content so far this year.
Responding to Apple’s explanation on X, Telegram wrote:
“I’m sure this stance will be applied equally to all other apps in the store, in the future, right? Apple.”
The messaging platform has more than one billion monthly active users worldwide.
Not the first clash with Apple
This is not the first time Telegram has faced an App Store suspension. Apple temporarily removed the app in 2018 over what Telegram founder Pavel Durov then described as “inappropriate content.” The service returned after Telegram strengthened its moderation systems.
The latest incident has also reignited debate over how app stores should deal with illegal user-generated content.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney questioned Apple’s decision, arguing that if a single user’s illegal post can trigger an app’s removal, the same standard could affect other large messaging platforms, including Apple’s own iMessage.
Telegram continues to face regulatory scrutiny
Telegram remains under scrutiny from regulators worldwide over how it handles illegal content.
Earlier this year, UK communications regulator Ofcom launched an investigation into allegations involving child sexual abuse material on the platform. Telegram denied the accusations and said it had “virtually eliminated” the public spread of such content through automated detection systems.
The company was also fined by Australia’s online safety regulator earlier this year for delaying responses to questions about its efforts to tackle child abuse material and violent extremist content.
The latest App Store suspension highlights the growing pressure on messaging platforms to strengthen moderation while balancing user privacy and platform accessibility.
