Telegram is currently one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, and it has tight competition with WhatsApp. The app is now located in Dubai, but the Federal Office of Justice says a law firm represents it in Germany. The app hasn’t also provided an address for communication in Germany. This is illegal under German law. The country authorities say they failed to serve papers to the Telegram office in Dubai. The fine seems to be definite. However, Telegram still has the chance to appeal.
Telegram fined in Germany for disobeying German laws
This is the second major legal case for Telegram in Germany. Back in June, sources reported that the app had given up some user’s data to German police. These users were reportedly active in terrorism and child abuse. Despite the collaboration, German police said earlier this year that Telegram is becoming a “medium for radicalization.” The German federal police believe some people are using the Telegram app to attack politicians, scientists, and doctors for their role in the battle against the coronavirus pandemic. “The coronavirus pandemic in particular has contributed to people becoming radicalized on Telegram, threatening others and even publishing calls to murder,” Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office chief, Holger Muench, said in a statement. According to Justice Minister Marco Buschmann, “The operators of messaging services and social networks bear a particular responsibility for acting against incitement to hatred and violence on their platforms.” He added, “These legal requirements and this responsibility can’t be avoided by trying to be unreachable.” Users can report abusive users, content, stickers, bots, and channels within the Telegram app. But even with the strictest controls, some users always use messaging apps to harass others.
