The Indian government has launched a scathing attack on messaging platform Telegram in the Delhi High Court, asserting that it has become the "new dark web" and a preferred platform for terrorist activities. This strong stance comes as the Centre defends its temporary ban on the app, which Telegram is challenging legally. An affidavit filed by the government, accessed by India Today TV, outlines a litany of serious allegations, painting a picture of a platform rife with illegal activities.

"Telegram has become the new dark web, linking threat actors," the Centre stated in its affidavit. It further elaborated that criminals have rapidly adopted Telegram to post links on channels that connect to dark web forums through deep web links, making it exceptionally difficult for authorities to track and attribute criminal acts. This legal battle highlights a growing tension between digital privacy and national security concerns, with the government arguing that Telegram's design actively aids illicit operations.

The government's allegations span a wide spectrum of criminal behaviour. These include the circulation of leaked examination papers, such as the NEET, widespread cyber fraud, the propagation of terrorism-linked propaganda, the distribution of child sexual exploitation material (CSEAM), drug trafficking, and various financial crimes. The sheer breadth of these claims underscores the government's view that Telegram poses a significant threat to public order and national security.

A core reason cited for Telegram's appeal to criminal networks is its robust privacy and anonymity features. The affidavit explains that users can easily conceal identifiers like phone numbers and Telegram IDs through privacy settings, creating a substantial hurdle for investigators attempting to establish the real identities behind suspicious accounts. This anonymity, while a selling point for privacy-conscious users, is presented by the government as a critical enabler for illicit activities.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the government, informed the Delhi High Court that inputs from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), a unit under the Ministry of Home Affairs, consistently point to structural features that impede efforts to curb misuse. Mehta highlighted that Telegram allows a single account holder to create up to 40 bots, a stark contrast to platforms like WhatsApp, where bot creation is far more restricted. This capability enables the rapid proliferation of accounts, meaning that even if existing bots are blocked, new ones can quickly emerge under different names and identifiers, offering only temporary relief to law enforcement.

Beyond bot proliferation, the government argued that Telegram's cloud-based architecture and privacy settings make it inherently difficult for law-enforcement agencies to identify offenders and trace criminal activity effectively. Mehta also drew attention to Telegram's privacy policy, which stipulates that deleting an account results in the deletion of all associated messages, media, and stored data. This feature, while beneficial for user data control, further complicates forensic investigations into past criminal acts.

Linking these concerns directly to national security, Mehta stated that government reports identify Telegram as the "most preferred platform" for terrorist activities. He also noted that authorities in several other jurisdictions face similar challenges due to the platform's design, suggesting a global pattern of misuse. This assertion elevates the issue beyond mere cybercrime to a matter of state security.

The affidavit further alleged that Telegram groups and channels are actively used to spread violent extremist content and material linked to terrorist organisations. These entities exploit the platform to propagate radical content, create misinformation, and destabilise public order, according to the government. The ease of creating and disseminating such content to a wide audience without immediate oversight is a major concern.

Among the most disturbing allegations is the widespread circulation of Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material (CSEAM) through Telegram channels and groups. The Centre emphasised that such content remains a significant concern for enforcement agencies monitoring online platforms, highlighting the platform's role in facilitating severe harm to vulnerable individuals.

Telegram has also allegedly become a hub for sophisticated cybercriminal activity. Fraudsters reportedly create fake accounts using false identities to carry out financial scams, publish data breaches, and coordinate complex cyber offences. Data from the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal indicates a significant rise in complaints involving Telegram as a medium for cyber fraud, underscoring the platform's growing role in digital financial crime.

The government also flagged the alleged use of Telegram channels for the sale and purchase of "mule bank accounts." These accounts are frequently employed to receive and transfer the proceeds of cybercrime and money laundering operations, providing a critical link in the illicit financial ecosystem. Cyber threat actors, hacker groups, and other adversaries reportedly use Telegram channels and groups to coordinate attacks, distribute stolen data, and share malicious tools, further solidifying its reputation as a digital underworld.

In specific instances cited by the government, Telegram channels allegedly promoted tools designed to make malicious APK files appear undetectable to security systems. Another channel was reportedly advertising malware impersonating financial and payment-related services, demonstrating the platform's role in enabling advanced cyberattacks. These examples illustrate the technical sophistication of the threats facilitated by Telegram.

Concerns were also raised about Telegram bots allegedly facilitating access to citizens' personal data, including mobile numbers, Aadhaar details, and other sensitive information sourced from previously leaked databases. This potential for data exploitation adds another layer of risk for ordinary users. Beyond security, the Centre alleged that Telegram channels are widely used to distribute pirated movies, web series, and other copyrighted content, causing substantial losses to content creators and raising significant intellectual property concerns.

This ongoing legal challenge in the Delhi High Court represents a critical juncture for Telegram's operations in India. The government's detailed affidavit lays bare its deep concerns regarding the platform's architecture and its alleged exploitation by criminal and extremist elements. The outcome of this case will likely have far-reaching implications for how messaging platforms are regulated in India, balancing user privacy with the imperative of national security and law enforcement. It also signals a broader global debate on the responsibilities of tech companies in combating online crime.