The central government has intensified its fight against digital piracy through a notice to Telegram asking the messenger to act on the circulation of pirated films, web series, and other copyrighted content. Telegram should immediately remove the infringing material, take action against repeat offenders and submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) within 15 days, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has said.
The change is a seismic shift in the government’s attitude towards online piracy and it’s a shift from taking individual content takedowns to holding digital platforms directly responsible for the spread of illegal content.
The ministry added that it has taken action to protect India's rapidly growing creator economy and preserve the interests of filmmakers, broadcasters, OTT platforms, producers and content distributors who suffer the economic impacts of copyright infringement which continues to be the cause of loss to the country’s rapidly growing creator economy.
The new notice comes after multiple complaints from OTT platforms and content owners that copyrighted films and web series were being widely shared on Telegram without permission. After the ministry investigated the complaints, it found 3,142 Telegram channels that were behind the distribution of pirated movies, web series and other copyrighted material.
Besides pulling the identified content down, Telegram is directed to take action against repeat offenders on the platform as well. The ministry’s notice specifically demands the company to identify and act against channels, groups, bots, user accounts, administrators and other associated entities that repeatedly facilitate piracy.
The notice was issued under the Information Technology Act, 2000, which enables the government to direct online intermediaries to remove unlawful content. It is also in accordance with the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, under which intermediaries are required to remove illegal content when a government notice or court order has been received.
The ministry also reminded Telegram of its due diligence obligations under Indian law, and it is clear that Telegram cannot wait for the government to identify every infringing channel. Telegram should monitor its platform, flag repeat copyright violators and put in place better compliance mechanisms to prevent the reappearance of pirated content.
And officials said the latest directive is part of the government’s overall push to improve its digital copyright enforcement and criminalization efforts which are becoming a growing concern for India’s entertainment industry. Online piracy is still prevalent in theatrical releases and OTT content as well as on-demand streaming services.
Telegram is under increasing regulatory scrutiny in India over the last few months, not just for piracy but also for fraud, impersonation and circulation of sensitive or misleading content.
Earlier this year, the Centre temporarily suspended Telegram and its website for a week on the grounds that the platform is failing to prevent the circulation of leaked and fake NEET examination papers, misleading information and other fraudulent content related to India's medical entrance examination. The platform resumed operations after the temporary restrictions were lifted.
The message is clear: Online intermediaries need to take a more active role in tackling illegal content rather than being dependent on government intervention. Telegram’s response in the next 15 days could shape future action against digital platforms in India and a better system of platform accountability in the fight against online piracy.
