The EU wants to force Telegram to moderate content

European regulators are considering adding Telegram to the list of so-called major online platforms. Under the new EU law, such organisations are required to moderate content.

Telegram's developer Pavel Durov has always refused to impose restrictions on its use. However, the messenger is becoming an important platform for Russian propagandists and intelligence services, and European authorities are determined to counter them in the information war.

The European Commission is analysing the possibility of granting Telegram the status of a major online platform.

Bloomberg writes about this, citing people familiar with the situation.

According to the Digital Services Act, a platform must have 45 million active users to qualify; in this case, it is subject to stricter requirements to control the spread of disinformation.

However, Telegram claims to have 41 million regular users in the EU. According to Bloomberg's sources, regulators are discussing with the messenger how to calculate their number, as it has channels that can only be followed, but not posted to.

A representative of the European Commission said that it is studying the methodology used by Telegram to count users. The company's representative said that it has less than 45 million active users, which is required to recognise the messenger as a major online platform.

Russia is currently actively conducting disinformation and disruptive campaigns ahead of the June European Parliament elections and the November US presidential election.

‘We consider Telegram to be a big enough platform to be subject to the same requirements as Facebook, X and YouTube,’ Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas recently told Bloomberg.

According to a Telegram spokesperson, the messenger is an ineffective means of spreading disinformation because it uses algorithms; the company is also developing a tool that will allow national fact-checking agencies to add verified information to relevant posts.

An additional concern for the EU authorities is the fact that Russian intelligence services have begun to use Telegram to recruit agents and transmit instructions for sabotage. For example, last year, a group of 16 people were arrested in Poland who were recruited by Russian intelligence via Telegram to organise arson attacks, monitor military facilities and supply Western weapons to Ukraine.

The Law on Digital Services came into force this year. Violation of the law is punishable by a fine of 6% of annual sales. Persistent offenders face a ban on working in the EU.

Background. Earlier it was reported that Telegram would cooperate with governments to fight fakes. Fact-checking agencies will be responsible for verifying the facts, which will be appointed by the governments of the countries where Telegram operates.