Here are some things you should know
- Popular messaging app Telegram reportedly gets fined €5.125 million by Germany.
- The app does not appear to have any legal means of reporting illegal content.
- Telegram has yet to appeal the fine.
German officials have been looking at Telegram’s messaging app, and previously claimed that it was a tool for radicalization. And now, according to a report from Associated Press (AP), the proprietors of the well-known messaging service were fined €5.125 million for violating German law.
This is a news item that Telegram received reportedly after it was found out it had given user data to German authorities in connection with concerns about suspected terrorist activities and child abuse.
Another AP report from January states that a German security officer created a team of investigators to look into users who are suspected to have used Telegram (one of the most widely-used messaging apps) to commit crimes.
Federal Criminal Police Office of Germany also warns of app’s potential use to target politicians, researchers and doctors for their efforts in fighting the coronavirus pandemic.
Holger Muench (the agency’s chief), said that the coronavirus epidemic in particular contributed to radicalization on Telegram and threatening other people. He also published calls for murder in a statement to AP.
Telegram is now one of the most popular messaging apps. Android Device users, as it can be used across devices and platforms. All messaging apps must comply with German laws and allow users to report any illegal content.
However, the Federal Office of Justice stated that there was no legal way for users to report any illegal content or provide an address for communications. These two seem mandatory according to German law for online messaging platforms.
Telegram states on their FAQ page that private chats among members of the platform are currently protected. If it is illegal for users to report sticker sets or channels, they can do so via the “report” option. You can also use the “report” option on your respective platforms’ apps to report any suspicious channels or persons.
Marco Buschmann, the Justice Minister said that messaging service and social network operators have an obligation to act against hate speech and violence. This legal obligation and responsibility are not negotiable.
Telegram is paying a huge fine, but the AP report indicates that they could still appeal. Android Telegram was contacted by Central.
