Mobile messaging platform Telegram has banned 2,114 groups and channels related to child abuse content, according to a Telegram channel ‘Stop Child Abuse’.
The instant messaging platform is one of three entities to which the government on Friday issued notices to remove child sexual abuse material in India. “2,114 groups and channels related to child abuse banned on October 6. Total this month: 10,312,” the update on the channel said.
The company did not share the break up of banned groups linked or having an impact on Indian jurisdiction.
Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Rajiv Chandrasekhar had warned that if social media intermediaries do not act swiftly, their ‘safe harbour’ under section 79 of the IT Act would be withdrawn, implying that the platforms can be directly prosecuted under the applicable laws and rules even though the content may have not been uploaded by them.