Telegram faces intense Ofcom scrutiny after alleged arsonist linked to Starmer properties used app

Telegram is reportedly handling inquiries from Ofcom over how it detects and blocks the instigation of illicit activities after a Ukrainian man was found guilty of carrying out arson attacks on a car and property linked to Keir Starmer.

A spokesperson for the regulator stated that it had contacted the messaging application to request more details because the arsonist had been directed on Telegram by an agent linked to Russia.

The 22-year-old Roman Lavrynovych highlighted was convicted of unlawful agreement with others to commit arson attacks in May 2025; however major targets linked to Starmer owned by the prime minister linked to Keir Starmer in north London.

Following the arson attacks, El Money told Lavrynovych to exit the UK: “Look, you attacked the home of a very high-ranking person in Britain.”

“I’ll send you money; you need to leave the city.”

Russian-born Pavel Durov operates the Telegram, who left the country in 2017. Afterwards, he relocated both his companies and headquarters to settle in the United Arab Emirates.

The application is extensively used in Russia and plays a crucial role in communication.

Meanwhile, Ofcom’s primary role is to make sure apps, including Telegram, have adequate measures in place to comply with their legal safety duties.

The regulator initiated an investigation into whether Telegram failed to disclose the sharing of child sexual abuse material in its platform.

Furthermore, Telegram said it had “virtually eliminated child sexual material through world-class detection algorithms and cooperation with NGOs.”

It is pertinent to mention here that Telegram issued a major statement denying Ofcom’s allegation, claiming that they are entirely false.