EU Regulators Investigating Telegram for Possible Violation, Suspecting Inaccurate Reporting of User Data to Evade DSA Legislation

The popular instant messaging tool Telegram has nearly reached a global user base of 1 billion, with approximately 41 million users in the European Union. This user count is below the threshold set by the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), which is 45 million (monthly active users), hence Telegram is not required to be designated as a gatekeeper under the digital market act.

Being designated as a gatekeeper by the EU under the digital market act would subject Telegram to stricter regulation, which isn't favorable news for the platform due to the various complex requirements of the digital market act.

The EU regulatory body in Brussels is currently investigating whether Telegram has violated regulations, suspecting that Telegram underreported user data to evade the requirements of the digital market act.

In February 2024, Telegram reported having 41 million active users in the EU. According to regulations, Telegram was supposed to provide new data this month, but instead stated that the average monthly active users in the EU are far below 45 million.

The EU stated that failing to provide the latest data could lead to Telegram violating the digital market act's regulations. The EU will investigate to determine the exact number of active users Telegram has in the EU. If it reaches 45 million, Telegram could face penalties for violating regulations.

The EU Commission's spokesperson for digital matters, Thomas Reynier, stated:

The Joint Research Centre of the EU Commission is conducting a technical investigation to determine the number of users Telegram has in the EU, while also communicating with Telegram regarding their user calculation methods.

We can ascertain the accuracy of user data through our systems and calculations. If we believe that Telegram has not provided accurate user data, we can also designate it as a large platform based on our investigation, which would require compliance with the regulatory measures of the digital market act.

Last weekend, Telegram's founder and CEO, Pavel Durov, was arrested at Paris airport by French authorities, who have charged Durov and the Telegram platform with various criminal acts.

It remains unclear whether the EU's investigation of Telegram under the digital market act is related to the arrest of Durov in France. However, the digital market act typically pertains to platform operational controls and should not involve criminal domains.