Centre Issues Notice to Telegram Over Pirated Movies, OTT Content; 15-Day Deadline to Act
Centre Issues Notice to Telegram Over Pirated Movies, OTT Content; 15-Day Deadline to Act
6 July, 2026: In a major move against online piracy, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has issued a notice to messaging platform Telegram, directing it to take immediate action against the circulation of pirated movies, OTT content and other copyrighted audio-visual material on its platform. The company has been asked to submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) within 15 days.
The directive comes after the ministry reviewed complaints from OTT platforms and copyright owners regarding the widespread sharing of copyrighted content through Telegram channels. During its examination, the government identified 3,142 Telegram channels allegedly involved in distributing pirated films, web series and other protected content.
The notice has been issued under the Information Technology Act, 2000, along with the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. The Centre has instructed Telegram to remove infringing content from its platform and strengthen its compliance framework as an intermediary under Indian law.
Apart from taking down illegal content, Telegram has also been directed to act against repeat offenders, including channels, groups, bots, administrators and other entities found repeatedly violating copyright laws.
Government officials said the latest action reflects a shift towards making digital platforms more accountable for content shared through their services instead of targeting only individual users or channel operators. The ministry reiterated that copyright infringement is a criminal offence and asked Telegram to provide details of its grievance redressal mechanism while ensuring faster removal of infringing material. It also warned that failure to comply with the notice could invite further legal action.
This is not the first time Telegram has faced regulatory action in India. Earlier this year, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology temporarily blocked the platform ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination, citing concerns over its alleged use by organised cheating networks. The Delhi High Court later upheld the government’s decision, observing that the action followed due legal procedure and was proportionate to the circumstances.
The latest notice is part of the government’s broader push to tighten oversight of digital messaging platforms. Earlier this week, the Centre also asked Meta not to introduce WhatsApp’s proposed username feature in India until consultations were completed. Meta responded that the feature would remain optional and include safeguards against impersonation and fraud.
With this latest action, the Centre has signalled a tougher stance on digital intermediaries, making it clear that messaging platforms are expected to proactively curb illegal content and comply with India’s copyright and information technology laws.
