Guwahati: The Indian government has issued a formal notice to messaging platform Telegram over the widespread circulation of pirated films and OTT content on its service, escalating pressure on the platform to strengthen its anti-piracy mechanisms.
According to the directive, authorities have asked Telegram to go beyond isolated takedowns of individual channels and instead adopt broader, system-level measures to prevent the illegal distribution of copyrighted audio-visual content. The Centre has also sought a detailed Action Taken Report from the platform within 15 days, outlining steps taken to curb piracy.
Officials have raised concerns that large volumes of films and web series are being illegally shared through Telegram channels, contributing to significant losses for content creators and streaming platforms. The government’s latest move signals a stronger focus on platform accountability rather than reactive content removal.
While Telegram has not issued a public response so far, the notice adds to growing scrutiny of messaging platforms in India over their role in hosting or facilitating access to pirated and unlawful digital content.