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Centre Cracks Down on Telegram Piracy, Flags Over 3,100 Illegal Channels

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued a notice to Telegram, directing it to remove pirated content following complaints from major OTT platforms like JioCinema and Amazon Prime Video. Authorities identified over 3,100 channels allegedly distributing copyrighted movies and web series illegally. This crackdown follows recent government action banning five OTT platforms for obscene content. The move is part of ongoing efforts to regulate digital content and enforce intermediary guidelines under Indian law.

Key Points: Govt Notice to Telegram Over 3,100 Pirated Content Channels

  • Notice issued under IT Act 2000
  • Action after complaints from JioCinema, Amazon Prime
  • 3,142 channels identified for piracy
  • Part of broader crackdown on digital content
  • Follows recent ban on five OTT platforms
2 min read

Centre issues notice to Telegram over pirated content, flags over 3,100 channels

Indian government directs Telegram to remove pirated movies & web series after OTT complaints. Action follows recent bans on obscene content platforms.

"directing the platform to take action against piracy and remove illegal content - Ministry of Information and Broadcasting"

New Delhi, March 11

The government on Wednesday asked messaging platform Telegram to remove pirated content from its platform after complaints from several OTT platforms about large-scale sharing of copyrighted movies and web series.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) issued a notice to Telegram under the Information Technology Act, 2000, directing the platform to take action against piracy and remove illegal content.

The move comes after complaints were filed by OTT platforms such as JioCinema and Amazon Prime Video, which alleged that their copyrighted content was being widely shared on Telegram without permission.

After examining the complaints, authorities identified 3,142 Telegram channels that were allegedly distributing pirated content, including movies, web series and other copyrighted material.

According to reports, Telegram's features such as large file-sharing limits and the ability to maintain anonymity have been misused by some users to share pirated content on a large scale.

The action comes just days after the ministry banned five OTT platforms for streaming content that was considered obscene. These platforms include MoodXVIP, Koyal Playpro, Digi Movieplex, Feel and Jugnu.

Earlier as well, in July 2025, the Centre ordered the blocking of websites and apps of 25 OTT platforms over allegations that they were streaming content considered obscene, vulgar or pornographic.

Those platforms included ALTT, ULLU, Big Shots App, Desiflix, Boomex, Navarasa Lite, Gulab App, Kangan App, Bull App, Jalva App, ShowHit, Wow Entertainment, Look Entertainment, Hitprime, Feneo, ShowX, Sol Talkies, Adda TV, HotX VIP, Hulchul App, MoodX, NeonX VIP, Fugi, Mojflix and Triflicks.

Under Rule 3(1)(b) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, online platforms are not allowed to host or publish content that is obscene, pornographic, invasive of privacy, insulting or harassing on the basis of gender, racially or ethnically objectionable, or promotes hate or violence.

The government's latest action is part of its broader effort to curb online piracy and regulate objectionable digital content across platforms.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
But will this really stop piracy? People will just move to another app. The real issue is OTT subscription fatigue. When you have to pay for 5-6 different apps, some people will look for free options. Maybe platforms should think about bundled plans.
A
Aman W
Good move, but I hope the focus is balanced. Cracking down on piracy is one thing, but banning OTT platforms for 'obscene' content is getting too subjective. Who decides what is vulgar? We need clear guidelines, not moral policing.
S
Sarah B
As someone new to India, I find the scale of digital content regulation here fascinating. 3100 channels is a huge number! It shows how popular Telegram is for file sharing. The challenge will be enforcement.
K
Karthik V
Telegram needs to be more responsible. Their features are great for privacy, but they're being misused on a massive scale. They should have pro-actively worked with Indian authorities. JioCinema and Amazon are right to complain.
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Nisha Z
My cousin used to get all the new web series from Telegram groups. I always told him it's wrong. Artists and technicians work hard. If we want good content, we must be willing to pay for it. Support the industry, yaar.

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