Centre gives Telegram 15 days to curb piracy, strengthen copyright enforcement systems

The Centre has directed messaging platform Telegram to take corrective measures within 15 days over the alleged large-scale circulation of pirated films, OTT content and other copyrighted audio-visual material on its platform.

15-day deadline

In a notice issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) on Saturday (July 4), Telegram was asked to strengthen its systems for detecting, reporting, disabling access to and removing infringing content.

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The ministry said the move is intended to safeguard India's creator economy, including the interests of filmmakers, broadcasters, OTT platforms, producers and distributors affected by online piracy.

Action on repeat offenders

Apart from removing infringing content, Telegram has also been instructed to act against repeat offenders. These include channels, groups, bots, user accounts, administrators and other associated entities that repeatedly facilitate the unauthorised distribution of copyrighted material, reported the Hindustan Times.

Also Read: Why Telegram ban expands scope of IT Act’s blocking powers

The ministry has further sought details of the platform's grievance redressal mechanism available to producers, OTT platforms and law-enforcement agencies. Telegram has been given 15 days to submit an Action Taken Report outlining the steps it has taken to prevent, identify and remove pirated content.

Proactive monitoring

Instead of relying solely on individual takedown requests, the Centre has indicated that platforms must put in place systems capable of proactively addressing copyright violations. Earlier, the government had reportedly blocked more than 3,000 Telegram channels accused of sharing pirated content.

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The notice also reminded Telegram of its obligations as an intermediary under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Information Technology Rules, 2021. According to the ministry, compliance cannot be limited to responding only after authorities identify specific piracy channels.

“A purely reactive, channel-by-channel takedown approach may not be enough to show due diligence by the platform as required under the IT Act, 2000 and IT Rules, 2021”.

The ministry maintained that copyright infringement is not merely a civil dispute but also constitutes a criminal offence under the Copyright Act, 1957, and the Cinematograph Act, 1952.

Recent Telegram ban

The notice comes shortly after Telegram faced a temporary ban in India until June 22 ahead of the June 21 NEET-UG re-examination. The medical entrance test, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), was originally held on May 3.

Also Read: Telegram moves Delhi HC against temporary ban ahead of NEET UG re-exam

It was cancelled on May 12 after overlaps emerged between a leaked guess paper and the actual question paper, prompting a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe that has so far resulted in 13 arrests.

The government order, which temporarily blocked a platform widely used by students to exchange study material, was later challenged before the Delhi High Court. On June 19, the court upheld the Centre's decision to restrict access to Telegram for six days in the run-up to the NEET-UG re-examination.