The UK’s communications regulator Ofcom has opened formal investigations into Telegram, Teen Chat, and Chat Avenue over concerns they are failing to prevent the spread of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and protect minors from online grooming.
The enforcement action follows evidence gathered by Ofcom in collaboration with law enforcement bodies and child protection organizations. Central to the Telegram probe is intelligence provided by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, which flagged the alleged presence and circulation of CSAM on the platform. Ofcom supplemented this with its own platform assessment before launching a formal investigation into Telegram Messenger Inc. under Section 10 of the UK’s Online Safety Act.
The regulator will examine whether Telegram has implemented sufficient “illegal content duties,” which require platforms to proactively prevent users from encountering priority illegal content, mitigate risks of criminal misuse, and rapidly remove such material when detected.
Telegram, a widely used messaging platform with hundreds of millions of users globally, is under scrutiny for whether its systems adequately detect and remove CSAM. In a public statement posted on X, the company rejected the allegations, stating it has “virtually eliminated the public spread of CSAM” since 2018 through detection algorithms and cooperation with non-governmental organizations. Telegram also suggested that the investigation may reflect broader regulatory pressure on platforms that promote and support privacy and free expression.
In parallel, Ofcom has opened investigations into two lesser-known chat services, Teen Chat and Chat Avenue, which it says pose heightened risks to minors. Both platforms offer open chatrooms, private messaging, user profiles, and media-sharing features, features that, according to Ofcom, can be exploited by predators for grooming activities.
Ofcom stated it had engaged with the operators of both services prior to launching enforcement action, but remained unconvinced that adequate safeguards were in place. The Chat Avenue investigation will also assess whether the platform sufficiently protects children from exposure to harmful content, including pornography.
If Ofcom ultimately finds that Telegram or the other investigated platforms have breached their legal obligations, it can impose fines of up to £18 million ($22.4 million) or 10% of global annual revenue, whichever is higher. In severe cases, the regulator may seek court orders to disrupt business operations, including requiring internet service providers to block access or compelling payment processors and advertisers to withdraw support.
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