Study shows that Telegram has become a hotbed of illegal activity

An analysis of more than 3.2 million messages from 16,000 channels on Telegram by The New York Times found that the platform is overflowing with illegal and extremist activity. In particular, it found 1,500 channels run by supporters of white supremacy, two dozen channels selling weapons, and at least 22 channels advertising drugs such as MDMA, cocaine and heroin.

Here's What We Know

Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov was arrested in France last month. Authorities accused him of complicity in illegal activity on the platform due to a lack of content moderation. Telegram eventually updated its website to add the ability to report abuse, and Durov said that using outdated laws to charge the CEO with offences committed by third parties was a flawed approach.

These developments highlight the complexity of regulating digital platforms and the need to adapt legislation to modern realities.

Source: New York Times