Britain's communications regulator has launched an investigation into Telegram and two other chat platforms over failures to protect children from sexual abuse and grooming. The companies face fines of up to $24.3 million or 10% of global revenue.
The watchdog, Ofcom, said it had also opened investigations into Teen Chat and Chat Avenue to examine whether they were meeting their duties to prevent children from the risk of being groomed by predators.
Ofcom said after engagement with the companies, it remained unsatisfied as to whether they were providing adequate protection to British children from the risk of grooming.
"These firms must do more to protect children, or face serious consequences under the Online Safety Act," Suzanne Cater, Director of Enforcement at Ofcom, said in a statement.
The regulator added that if companies fail to comply, it can impose fines of up to £18 million or 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue, whichever is greater.
“In the most serious cases of non-compliance, and where appropriate given risks of harm to individuals in the UK, we can seek a court order to require third parties to take action to disrupt the business of the provider,” said Ofcom.
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According to the Online Safety Act 2023, platforms are required to implement systems that prevent users, especially children, from encountering illegal content, such as child sexual abuse material. Companies are responsible for removing such footage.
From March 17th 2025, they’re also required to mitigate the risk that their platforms become hotspots for these kinds of crimes.
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