Hyderabad: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has notified Telegram over the widespread dissemination of pirated films, OTT content and other audio-visual material through its platform.
Telegram has been asked to strengthen systems for detection, reporting, disabling access to and removal of pirated films and infringing audio-visual content. It has been directed to act against repeat infringers, including channels, groups, bots, accounts, administrators and associated entities.
The Ministry has sought details of Telegram’s grievance redressal system for producers, OTT platforms, and law-enforcement agencies. Telegram has been given 15 days to submit an Action Taken Report on the steps taken to prevent, detect and remove pirated content from the platform.
The communication signals a clear shift from piecemeal takedown to platform accountability. The Government earlier acted against over 3,000 Telegram channels carrying pirated content.
Telegram has been reminded that, as an intermediary, it is required to observe due diligence under the IT Act and IT Rules. The Ministry has made it clear that Telegram cannot merely wait for the Government to identify each piracy channel one by one.
A purely reactive, channel-by-channel takedown approach may not be enough to show due diligence by the platform as required under the IT Act, 2000 and IT Rules, 2021.
The Ministry has underlined that copyright infringement is not merely a civil violation, but a criminal offence in India under the Copyright Act, 1957 and Cinematograph Act, 1952. The Government has made it clear that continued availability of pirated content, evasive compliance or incomplete response may invite further examination and action under the applicable legal framework.
The action has been taken to protect India’s creator economy, film industry, broadcasters, OTT platforms, producers, and distributors.
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