Telegram Under Fire: I&B Ministry Issues Fresh Notice Over Pirated Films, OTT Content, Seeks Action In 15 Days

New Delhi: The Centre has intensified its crackdown on digital piracy by issuing a fresh notice to Telegram, accusing the messaging platform of not doing enough to curb the illegal distribution of copyrighted content.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has directed Telegram to take immediate and proactive measures against channels and groups involved in sharing pirated films, web series and OTT content.

The platform has also been asked to submit a detailed Action Taken Report (ATR) within 15 days, outlining the steps it has taken to dismantle piracy networks operating on its platform.

Govt Seeks Platform-Level Crackdown

According to the Ministry's communication, Telegram has been asked to strengthen its systems for detecting, reporting, disabling access to and removing pirated content shared across its platform.

The government has also directed Telegram to take action against repeat infringers, including channels, groups, bots, user accounts, administrators and other associated entities that repeatedly facilitate copyright violations.

Officials made it clear that the platform can no longer rely solely on complaints or government intervention to identify infringing content.

'Reactive Takedowns Not Enough'

The Ministry has explicitly stated that a purely reactive, channel-by-channel takedown approach is insufficient to demonstrate the due diligence expected from intermediaries under Indian law.

It stressed that Telegram cannot merely wait for the government to identify piracy channels one by one and must instead proactively identify and dismantle networks engaged in copyright infringement.

The communication marks what officials describe as a shift from piecemeal enforcement to platform accountability.

Grievance System Under Scanner

The Ministry has also sought details of Telegram's grievance redressal mechanism available to film producers, OTT platforms, broadcasters, copyright holders and law-enforcement agencies for reporting piracy.

The government wants the platform to explain how complaints are received, processed and resolved, as well as the safeguards in place to prevent repeat violations.

'Piracy A Criminal Offence'

The notice underlines that copyright infringement is not merely a civil dispute but a criminal offence in India, punishable under the Copyright Act, 1957 and the Cinematograph Act, 1952.

Telegram has also been reminded that, as an intermediary, it is legally required to observe due diligence obligations under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Information Technology Rules, 2021.

Warning Of Further Legal Action

The Ministry has warned that continued availability of pirated content, evasive compliance or an incomplete response could invite "further examination and action under the applicable legal framework."

Government sources said the move is aimed at protecting India's creator economy, including the film industry, broadcasters, OTT platforms, producers and distributors, all of whom have repeatedly flagged piracy as a major threat to revenues.

Over 3,000 Telegram Channels Previously Blocked

The latest notice builds on the government's earlier anti-piracy drive, during which action was taken against more than 3,000 Telegram channels allegedly involved in distributing pirated films and other copyrighted content.

Officials say the latest communication reflects a tougher regulatory stance, with the focus now shifting from removing individual channels to ensuring platforms themselves build robust systems to prevent piracy at scale.

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