India’s popular messaging app, Telegram, is under the microscope as the nation’s authorities intensify their investigations into the platform’s potential misuse in criminal activities. Despite the ongoing scrutiny, multiple reports suggest that a ban is not imminent.
The Indian Ministry of Information Technology has requested updates from the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding Telegram’s compliance with local regulations, especially after the arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov in France. The platform, widely used in the cryptocurrency ecosystem, has come under investigation by India’s cybercrime wing, particularly in relation to the recent exam paper leak scandal involving the nation’s medical entrance exams.
According to sources within the Ministry of Home Affairs, Telegram remains compliant with India’s Information Technology rules. However, the investigation is still active, and any further developments could have significant repercussions.
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This isn’t the first time India has cracked down on major tech platforms. The nation previously banned TikTok and 58 other Chinese apps following border tensions with China. Similarly, the Indian government’s legal battle against WhatsApp and its parent company, Meta, hit a snag over encryption issues, with WhatsApp warning that breaking encryption would force them to exit the Indian market.
The potential ban on Telegram has raised concerns among tech entrepreneurs and Web3 developers in India. Ayush Ranjan, CEO of Huddle01, expressed that a ban could severely impact the business development and marketing strategies of over 300 Web3 projects in India. With millions of Indians relying on Telegram for communication, any disruption could also affect the value of project tokens in the crypto market.
