Centre Seeks Telegram's Anti-Piracy Action Report Within Fifteen Days After Fresh Directive

The Centre has directed messaging platform Telegram to take stronger measures against the widespread circulation of pirated films, OTT content and other copyrighted audio-visual material on its platform, marking a significant escalation in the government's efforts to combat online piracy. According to government officials, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has issued a notice seeking an Action Taken Report (ATR) from Telegram within 15 days, signalling a shift from merely ordering individual content removals to expecting platforms to proactively prevent copyright infringement.

According to a PTI report, the ministry informed Telegram that the unauthorised distribution of copyrighted content is not only a civil violation but also constitutes a criminal offence under the Copyright Act, 1957, and the Cinematograph Act, 1952. Officials said the government has expressed concern over the ease with which pirated movies, web series and other protected content continue to circulate through public channels and groups on the messaging platform, causing financial losses to content creators, broadcasters and streaming services.

In its communication, the ministry reportedly emphasised that Telegram cannot rely solely on a reactive approach by removing channels only after they are flagged by authorities. "The Ministry has made it clear that Telegram cannot merely wait for the government to identify each piracy channel one by one. A purely reactive, channel-by-channel takedown approach may not be enough to demonstrate due diligence by the platform, as required under the IT Act, 2000, and the IT Rules, 2021," officials were quoted as saying. The government has asked the platform to outline the measures it has taken and plans to implement to curb the spread of pirated content.

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The notice reflects a broader push by the Centre to hold digital intermediaries more accountable for illegal activities conducted through their platforms. Under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, intermediaries are required to exercise due diligence and act against unlawful content while complying with applicable legal obligations. The government appears to be signalling that repeated post-facto takedowns may no longer be considered sufficient where large-scale copyright infringement continues unabated.

Online piracy has remained a persistent challenge for India's entertainment industry, with newly released films and web series often appearing on unauthorised platforms within hours of their official release. Industry bodies and rights holders have repeatedly urged authorities to strengthen enforcement mechanisms, arguing that piracy causes substantial revenue losses and undermines investments in film production and digital content. Messaging platforms, file-sharing services and rogue websites have increasingly come under scrutiny for facilitating the rapid dissemination of copyrighted material.

The Centre's latest directive indicates a more proactive regulatory approach towards digital platforms hosting user-generated content. By requiring Telegram to submit an Action Taken Report within 15 days, the government is seeking evidence of systemic measures aimed at preventing piracy rather than responding to individual complaints. The platform's response and the steps it adopts could have wider implications for how online intermediaries operating in India address copyright enforcement and comply with due diligence obligations under the country's digital governance framework.

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