Apple removes Telegram from App Store over sexual abuse content violations

Apple has briefly removed Telegram from its App Store over alleged concerning content that breached its guidelines “prohibiting child sexual abuse material.”

The messaging platform was initially unavailable for some users in India, US, Singapore and Australia but it was fully restored later.

"We briefly removed Telegram from the App Store after our review found content that violates our strict guidelines prohibiting child sexual abuse material,” an Apple spokesperson said in a statement.

However, later a Telegram spokesperson said the app was being restored, stating, “The app was subsequently restored after the developer promptly removed the content and banned the user who posted it.”

Telegram said on X, "Reports of ‌my ⁠demise are greatly exaggerated.”

Further details regarding the violation of guidelines have not been revealed by an Apple spokesperson.

Earlier this week, Telegram was caught in a legal whirlpool as Australia launched legal action against Telegram over the alleged pro-terror posts and the platform’s failure to take down such harmful content.

According to Australia’s internet regulator, it has initiated the action after Telegram failed to remove unsettling videos of mass shootings, adding, "This case concerns content linked to some of the most notorious ​acts of known extremist violence in recent history, including material associated ​with the Christchurch and Buffalo terror attacks.”

Prior to this legal action, Russia also targeted Telegram founder Paul Durov and charged him with aiding terrorism, putting him on an international wanted list. Russian authorities also alleged that the app is being used by Ukraine spies to wage a war against Russia.