Telegram temporarily removed from app stores over policy issues

Telegram was briefly removed from app stores due to regulatory and policy violations but was reinstated after compliance, highlighting ongoing tensions with authorities.

Telegram was temporarily removed from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store in June after the Indian government raised concerns about its use in circulating leaked NEET-UG exam papers. The removal, enforced under Section 69A of India’s Information Technology Act, included network-level blocks that impacted existing users. Telegram was reinstated on both stores by June 23, after the exam concluded. In a separate incident in August, Telegram disappeared from the Apple App Store for several hours in 175 countries after Apple detected content violating its child safety policies. Telegram responded by removing the offending material and banning the responsible user, leading to the app’s swift reinstatement. These incidents highlight ongoing tensions between encrypted messaging platforms and regulatory authorities, as well as the strict enforcement of app store guidelines regarding illegal content. The Gram token, associated with Telegram, recovered after an initial drop during the controversy.