After Websites, Govt Targets Piracy on Telegram?

The Indian government has taken a serious step to curb online piracy. According to official sources, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued a notice to Telegram under the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000, directing the platform to remove pirated content being circulated through various channels.

The move comes after several complaints from leading OTT platforms, including JioHotstar and Amazon Prime Video, which alleged that a large amount of copyrighted films and web series were being illegally shared on Telegram.

After reviewing the complaints and conducting a detailed examination, authorities reportedly identified 3,142 Telegram channels that were actively distributing pirated content. These channels were said to be sharing newly released films and OTT shows through download links, file formats, and direct video uploads, making it easy for users to access copyrighted material without authorization.

In recent years, Telegram has become one of the major hubs for digital piracy, with thousands of users joining channels that leak films shortly after release. The government’s latest notice aims to bring stricter control over such activities.

However, it remains to be seen how effectively Telegram will be able to monitor and prevent piracy, as new channels often emerge quickly after older ones are taken down. Industry stakeholders are now hoping for stronger enforcement to protect content creators and OTT platforms.