India has banned the messaging app Telegram, following a leak of exam papers that compromised a major national entrance test. Sources confirm the ban is immediate, with internet service providers instructed to block access. The move comes as the UK’s digital watchdog, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), has placed Telegram under increased scrutiny over its encryption and data handling practices.
Documents obtained by this newsroom reveal that Indian authorities traced the leak of the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) papers to private Telegram groups, where they were distributed hours before the test. The exam, taken by over a million students, was thrown into chaos. Telegram, known for its end-to-end encryption and resistance to surveillance, has long been a target for regulators. The Indian government cited “national security and public order” in a directive issued late last night.
Meanwhile, in the UK, the ICO has launched a preliminary investigation into whether Telegram complies with the Data Protection Act. A senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told me: “We are looking at the security of the platform, particularly its default encryption settings and how it responds to requests for illegal content.” Telegram has faced similar probes in Germany and Brazil. The UK watchdog’s chair, Elizabeth Denham, has previously warned that apps with “design features that prioritise privacy over safety” could face enforcement action.
The timing is no coincidence. Telegram’s user base has surged, particularly among protesters and activists, but also among criminals. The app has been linked to child sexual abuse material (CSAM) sharing, fraud, and illicit trade in personal data. A 2023 Europol report cited Telegram as a “significant enabler” of organised crime. India’s ban, one of the world’s strictest, sends a clear message: even the most secure platforms are not above the law.
But here is the reality. Bans often fail. Telegram has been blocked in Iran, Russia, and China, yet users there find ways around restrictions using VPNs. The app is built for evasion. Its servers are distributed across multiple jurisdictions. The ban may drive users to less regulated spaces. India’s move could also backfire, crippling legitimate communications for millions who rely on Telegram for news, business, and family contact.
What is the UK’s endgame? ICO sources suggest they want Telegram to adopt “proportionate security measures,” including client-side scanning for illegal images. Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has refused, arguing that breaking encryption for any reason would destroy privacy for all. The UK is also pushing for “robust age verification” under the Online Safety Bill. Telegram has so far resisted.
The ICO has not yet issued a formal notice. But the clock is ticking. Telegram’s approach to security has its advocates. But in a world where exams are leaked, children are exploited, and criminals trade freely, the claim that absolute privacy is a human right looks increasingly brittle.
This story is not over. I have sources watching the ICO like hawks. The next move could come within weeks. And when it does, you will read it here first.
