If you also use Telegram app to watch new movies or web series, then this news can prove to be a big shock for you. Messaging app Telegram, famous for its privacy and large groups, is now on the radar of the Indian government. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has issued a strict notice to Telegram regarding piracy i.e. serving movies and content illegally. It is being told that many OTT platforms had complained that their films and web series were being shared illegally on Telegram on a large scale. After this the government started investigating the matter and has now taken steps towards action.
OTT giants opened the front
This whole action started when JioCinema, Amazon Prime Video and other major OTT platforms complained to the government about Telegram. These companies allege that the web series and movies made with their hard work and spending crores of rupees are made available for free on Telegram as soon as they are released. Due to this, these platforms are suffering huge financial losses.
3142 channels will be affected
According to government sources, after seriously investigating the complaints, the ministry has identified 3142 Telegram channels. These are those channels which were distributing copyrighted movies, series and other videos indiscriminately. There are lakhs of subscribers on these channels, who were enjoying pirated content. In this notice sent under the IT Act, 2000, Telegram has been directed to immediately remove these illegal channels and content from its platform.
Action under IT Act (IT Act, 2000)
The rules regarding digital content in India are quite strict. Under various sections of the IT Act, 2000, any platform has to ensure that no one’s copyright is infringed through it. If Telegram does not respond properly to this notice from the government or does not remove illegal content, the government may take a tough stance regarding the intermediary status, which may end the company’s legal protection.
What will be the impact on users?
This action against Telegram will have a direct impact on crores of users who are connected to these illegal channels in pursuit of free entertainment. Thousands of groups and channels related to piracy may be deleted in the coming days. Experts believe that promoting piracy is a legal offense and the government is now adopting a policy of zero tolerance on it.
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