NEW DELHI — The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) on Tuesday served a formal notice to the messaging platform Telegram, directing the company to submit a detailed report within 15 days on the measures it has taken to curb the distribution of pirated films and over‑the‑top (OTT) streaming content on its network 【https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/centre-issues-notice-to-telegram-over-pirated-films-ott-content-after-neet-ug-paper-leak-ban-username-issues-11725763#publisher=newsstand】.
The notice follows a series of high‑profile incidents that have drawn government attention to the role of Telegram in facilitating illegal content sharing. Among these, the recent leak of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) UG question paper was traced to a Telegram channel, prompting a broader crackdown on the platform’s use for illicit activities. In addition, authorities highlighted ongoing concerns about “username issues” that allow users to create multiple accounts to evade detection.
MeitY’s communication, addressed to Telegram’s Indian operations team, requests a comprehensive account of steps taken to identify and remove channels, groups, and bots that host or disseminate copyrighted movies and OTT series without permission. The ministry also asked for information on any technological tools or partnerships the platform is employing to detect such content, as well as the legal framework under which it processes takedown requests.
Telegram has not yet publicly responded to the notice. The platform, which is known for its end‑to‑end encryption and minimal content moderation, has previously defended its stance that it does not host user‑generated content and that removal requests must be routed through proper legal channels.
Analysis: The notice reflects the Indian government’s escalating effort to combat digital piracy, an industry that the Ministry estimates causes losses of billions of rupees annually for content creators and distributors. By invoking a 15‑day deadline, officials appear to be leveraging existing legal mechanisms—such as the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021—to pressure platforms into more proactive policing. However, the request raises questions about the balance between intellectual property enforcement and the privacy expectations of Telegram’s user base, given the platform’s encryption model. If Telegram fails to comply, MeitY could invoke provisions that classify the service as a “non‑compliant intermediary,” potentially leading to restrictions on its operations in India.
Sources
– NDTV, “Centre Issues Notice to Telegram Over Pirated Films, OTT Content After NEET UG Paper Leak, Ban on Username Issues,” 4 July 2026, https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/centre-issues-notice-to-telegram-over-pirated-films-ott-content-after-neet-ug-paper-leak-ban-username-issues-11725763#publisher=newsstand
Story synopsis gathered from: NDTV – India News — source
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