The arrest of Pavel Durov, CEO of the social media platform Telegram, at Paris Airport on August 26, 2024, reignited debates about Telegram’s role in promoting free speech, the boundaries of user privacy, and the need for platform regulation.
Simultaneously, findings from Filterwatch’s Digital Security Emergency Help team revealed a troubling trend: a network of Telegram channels ostensibly sharing content like child sexual exploitation (pedophilia), non-consensual pornography, and material glorifying sexual violence.
However, these channels appear primarily focused on two objectives that align with the Iranian government’s interests: spreading state propaganda and mobilizing individuals to target political opponents and activists. Episode 4 of the Layer 7 podcast delves into this report, providing a critical analysis of Telegram’s role and performance in addressing these issues.
Telegram’s Origins and Promises
Launched in 2013, Telegram marketed itself as a platform championing “freedom of expression and privacy.” The app quickly gained recognition as a technically advanced platform, with Pavel Durov emphasizing its mission to create a secure and private communication space for users. However, questions linger about whether such unregulated freedom consistently benefits society.
The Boundary Between Free Speech and Regulation
Digital rights advocates argue that Durov and Telegram have long been aware of harmful actors exploiting the platform. Civil society groups have repeatedly raised these concerns with Telegram over the years. Unlike competitors like Facebook and Google, which have implemented human rights-compliant policies on content moderation and government data-sharing, Telegram has largely avoided adopting similar frameworks.
Critics also highlight Telegram’s lack of comprehensive end-to-end encryption, which leaves user messages partially exposed. This shortfall, coupled with weak governance measures, raises concerns that user data could be compromised under pressure from governments or malicious actors. Legal experts warn that this lack of encryption and accountability makes Durov personally vulnerable to demands and pressures from governments worldwide.
Although Durov has previously stated that Telegram has acted against channels crossing certain red lines, evidence often contradicts these claims. Iranian digital rights activists have identified recurring patterns of harmful content on Telegram. Channels sharing abusive, violent, and pedophilic material have repeatedly resurfaced under new names and guises, suggesting a well-organized network preventing their permanent removal.
Filterwatch’s Report: Telegram Channels Aligned with the Iranian Government
Filterwatch’s investigation uncovered a disturbing overlap between certain Telegram channels spreading harmful content and the broader geopolitical agenda of the Iranian government. These channels not only publish graphic material but also function as tools of state propaganda and misinformation, particularly regarding Iran’s foreign policy and regional ambitions.
Moreover, these channels actively target civil and political activists by doxxing their personal information and encouraging members to harass them. For instance, they shared the phone numbers of activists like Hossein Ronaghi and his mother, urging members to use malicious apps to inundate them with spam messages and calls. Some channels have even added extortion to their tactics, publishing non-consensual images of women and demanding payments to remove the content. Victims are instructed to make payments to purported “charities” before their information is deleted.
These channels also introduce apps such as Bomber, enabling users to send mass spam messages and harassing calls to opposition figures. Coordinated misinformation campaigns are another hallmark of these networks, especially during periods of heightened regional tensions involving Iran’s military presence abroad or conflicts with Israel and the U.S. For instance, following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, a Hamas leader, these channels launched a synchronized campaign praising Iran’s policies toward Israel.
Encouragement of Violence and Religious Propaganda
These Telegram channels frequently celebrate violence and mock imprisoned protesters. For example, after rumors of an execution sentence against the dissident artist Shervin Hajipour in August 2024, one channel posted: “Shervin’s gone to join Toomaj. Let’s hope by this time next year we’ll be celebrating Toomaj’s execution, too.”
Amid graphic and abusive content, these channels also share speeches by pro-government religious figures. On September 1, 2024, a channel titled “Tavileh” shared a lecture by Alireza Panahian titled “How to Hasten the Arrival of Imam Mahdi.”
Lack of Accountability from Telegram and State Impunity
Despite extensive evidence of these channels’ involvement in spreading harmful content and misinformation, Iranian judicial and security authorities have not only failed to act but have actively obstructed journalists and activists attempting to expose these networks.
Telegram’s management has also failed to clarify its approach to addressing these issues. While legal cases against Durov for violating platform red lines have been initiated, these problematic channels remain active. Telegram’s reluctance to implement robust governance measures or regulate harmful content raises serious questions about its commitment to user safety and ethical platform management.
