Ofcom Investigates Telegram Over Alleged CSAM Sharing, Probes Teen Chat Sites and X
Summary
Ofcom is investigating Telegram over alleged CSAM sharing and probing Teen Chat, Chat Avenue, and X over child-safety concerns. Telegram denies the allegations; Ofcom can impose fines or seek court orders for serious non-compliance.
Key points
- Ofcom opened an Online Safety Act investigation into whether Telegram is complying with duties to prevent CSAM sharing.
- Ofcom said evidence came from the Canadian Centre for Child Protection and its own assessment; Telegram denies the allegations and says it has virtually eliminated public CSAM since 2018.
- Ofcom is investigating Teen Chat and Chat Avenue over risks of child grooming.
- Ofcom is also probing X over nonconsensual sexually explicit content generated using the Grok chatbot.
- Ofcom may impose fines of up to £18 million or 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue, and can seek court orders to disrupt or block services in serious cases.
Article Details
- Event Type
- Ofcom regulatory investigations under the UK Online Safety Act into alleged illegal content and online safety compliance failures.
- Impact
- Ofcom is investigating Telegram over alleged CSAM sharing, Teen Chat and Chat Avenue over grooming risks, and X over nonconsensual sexually explicit content generated using Grok. Telegram denies the allegations and says it has virtually eliminated the public spread of CSAM since 2018. If Ofcom finds compliance failures, it can impose fines of up to £18 million or 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue, whichever is greater, and may seek court orders to disrupt or block services in the UK.
Products
Chat Avenuethat the platform is being used to share child sexual abuse material; Ofcom is also probing Teen Chat, Chat Avenue, and X over grooming risks and AI-generated nonconsensual explicit content.GrokOfcom is separately investigating Teen Chat and Chat Avenue for grooming risks and probing X over Grok-related nonconsensual explicit content.Teen Chatassessment that the platform is being used to share child sexual abuse material; Ofcom is also probing Teen Chat, Chat Avenue, and X over grooming risks and AI-generated nonconsensual explicit content.TelegramOfcom has opened an investigation under the UK’s Online Safety Act into Telegram after receiving evidence from the Canadian Centre for Child Protection and conducting its own assessment that the platform is being usedXis being used to share child sexual abuse material; Ofcom is also probing Teen Chat, Chat Avenue, and X over grooming risks and AI-generated nonconsensual explicit content.