Telegram isn't just another messaging app anymore. For news publishers, it's become a high-stakes publishing channel with serious legal risks. If you're using Telegram to distribute news, you're not just reaching audiences-you're navigating a minefield of international laws, data requests, and content takedowns that can land your outlet in hot water overnight.
Telegram’s Compliance Shift Is Real-And It’s Fast
In 2023, Telegram was known for ignoring law enforcement. If you asked them to remove illegal content or hand over user data, you got silence. By early 2025, that changed. The platform now responds to U.S. government requests within 24 hours on average. Between January and December 13, 2024, Telegram shared data on over 2,200 users. In the same period in 2023, it was fewer than 100. This isn’t a glitch. It’s a policy overhaul.
The trigger? The EU’s Terrorist Content Online (TCO) Regulation, which took effect in June 2022. Telegram now has a legal representative in Brussels, meaning it’s under direct EU jurisdiction. If you’re publishing news on Telegram and your audience includes EU readers, you’re subject to rules that require terrorist content to be removed within one hour of notification. The Belgian Institute of Post and Telecommunications (BIPT) issued 454 injunctions against Telegram-hosted content in 2024 alone.
What Content Gets You in Trouble
It’s not just terrorism. Telegram’s updated Terms of Service, effective November 2024, now allow data sharing for any criminal activity that violates their rules. That includes:
- Online fraud
- Sale of illegal goods
- Cybercrime
- Copyright infringement
News outlets have been caught off guard. One German outlet lost its GDPR certification after a reader reported a leaked document shared on their Telegram channel. The outlet didn’t moderate comments or replies-and Telegram handed over the user’s IP address to German authorities. The outlet was fined €42,000.
Even legitimate journalism can be at risk. The Freedom of the Press Foundation documented cases where journalists were investigated because Telegram failed to provide metadata proving their communications were part of newsgathering. If you’re talking to a source on Telegram and that chat gets flagged, you may not be able to prove you’re a journalist.
Encryption Isn’t Default-And That’s a Problem
Telegram’s biggest compliance flaw? End-to-end encryption is only available in “Secret Chats,” which are not the default. Most users, including journalists, use regular chats-which are stored on Telegram’s servers. That means:
- Your messages can be handed over to authorities
- Your sources’ identities can be exposed
- You’re violating record-keeping rules if you’re in finance, healthcare, or legal sectors
Global Relay’s compliance team says 57% of financial news organizations now ban staff from using Telegram for source communication. Why? Because of the “self-destruct messages” feature. Even if you delete a message, it might have been saved by a recipient. And if you’re required by law to archive communications (like under MiFID II or SEC Rule 17a-4), Telegram doesn’t give you a reliable way to do it.
Regional Rules Are Wildly Different
Telegram doesn’t enforce rules the same way everywhere. What gets taken down in Germany stays up in France. What’s legal in Brazil is flagged in Canada. This isn’t a bug-it’s by design. Telegram uses regional moderation teams with varying levels of training and authority.
A 2025 WAN-IFRA study found that 89% of Russian news outlets rely on Telegram as their main platform. Meanwhile, only 32% of German outlets use it regularly. Why? Because Germany’s strict digital laws make it too risky. Many European outlets now use geo-fencing to block EU users from accessing certain Telegram posts that could trigger TCO violations.
Newsrooms in the U.S. face different pressures. The Department of Justice has requested user data from Telegram channels linked to domestic extremism. If your outlet shares content from a channel later flagged as extremist-even if you’re reporting on it-you could be seen as amplifying illegal material.
You Need a Dedicated Compliance Plan
You can’t wing this anymore. If you’re publishing news on Telegram, you need a written compliance protocol. Here’s what it should include:
- Content moderation schedule: Assign at least one person to monitor your channel 24/7 during breaking news events. CertPro recommends real-time monitoring for EU audiences.
- Response time targets: If you’re notified of illegal content (by Telegram or authorities), remove it within one hour if you have EU readers.
- Training: Staff must complete EU digital regulation training. JournalismAI found 68% of newsrooms now require this.
- Archiving: Use third-party tools to automatically archive Telegram posts and replies. Don’t rely on Telegram’s own logs.
- Legal backup: Know who to call if your channel is shut down or you’re subpoenaed. Have a media lawyer on retainer.
Some outlets hire third-party firms like CertPro to handle compliance monitoring. Costs average $12,500 per year per outlet. It’s expensive-but cheaper than a €10 million fine under the EU’s Digital Services Act.
The Future Is Uncertain
Telegram says it’s now working with Etidal to remove extremist groups. In 2025 alone, over 108,000 such channels were shut down. But experts question whether this cooperation is permanent. The Lawfare Institute points out Telegram’s leadership once hoped a Trump presidency would ease U.S. pressure. That suggests compliance is tactical, not principled.
By Q2 2026, Telegram plans to roll out AI-powered moderation tools. That could speed up takedowns-but also increase false positives. Journalists reporting on protests, whistleblowers, or political dissent could find their posts flagged as “extremist” by an algorithm.
Forrester predicts a split by 2027: Telegram will run separate compliance systems for the EU and U.S. versus the rest of the world. If you’re a global news organization, that means you’ll need different content rules for different regions. No more one-size-fits-all posting.
Bottom Line: Use Telegram, But With Eyes Wide Open
Telegram is still the fastest way to reach millions of readers. But it’s no longer a safe haven. If you’re publishing news there, you’re now part of a regulated system-with real consequences for mistakes.
Don’t assume Telegram has your back. It doesn’t. It has its own legal obligations, and they’re changing every month. Your job isn’t just to report the news-it’s to protect your outlet from becoming part of the story.
Start with a compliance checklist. Train your team. Archive everything. And never, ever assume your messages are private.
Can I use Telegram to communicate with confidential sources?
Only if you use Secret Chats-and even then, it’s risky. Secret Chats are end-to-end encrypted, but they’re not the default. Most users don’t enable them, and they can’t be archived. If you’re in a regulated industry (finance, healthcare, legal), most compliance officers prohibit Telegram entirely. Use Signal or encrypted email instead.
What happens if I don’t remove illegal content from my Telegram channel?
You could face fines, legal action, or even platform suspension. Under the EU’s TCO Regulation, failure to remove terrorist content within one hour can lead to fines of up to 4% of your global revenue. Even if you didn’t post the content, if you’re the channel admin, you’re legally responsible. The BIPT has already fined media outlets for user-generated posts on their Telegram channels.
Does Telegram provide tools to help news outlets stay compliant?
Telegram offers transparency reports and a bot that tracks government requests, but no built-in moderation tools for newsrooms. You’ll need third-party services like CertPro or Global Relay to monitor content, archive messages, and automate takedown responses. Telegram’s API allows integration, but it’s not user-friendly without technical support.
Are there countries where publishing news on Telegram is illegal?
Yes. In China, Russia, and Iran, Telegram is officially banned. In the EU and U.S., it’s legal-but heavily regulated. Some countries, like Turkey and Brazil, have temporarily blocked Telegram during political unrest. Always check local laws before targeting audiences in specific countries. Using a VPN to bypass bans can expose you to criminal liability in some jurisdictions.
How often should I update my Telegram compliance policy?
At least every six months. Telegram’s Terms of Service and compliance practices change rapidly. In 2024 alone, they updated their data-sharing rules twice. Newsrooms that reviewed their policies quarterly saw 60% fewer compliance incidents than those that updated annually. Set calendar reminders and assign someone to track Telegram’s transparency reports.
Can I use Telegram for breaking news if I’m under GDPR?
Yes, but with strict conditions. You must obtain consent from EU users before adding them to your channel. You must disclose how their data will be used. You must delete user data upon request. And you must remove any content that violates EU law within one hour. Many outlets avoid this by creating separate channels for EU and non-EU audiences. It’s messy, but safer.
