Telegram Briefly Removed From Apple’s App Store Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse Content

Topline Apple briefly took down the messaging app Telegram from its App Store on Monday, alleging it violated its guidelines on child sexual abuse material, in the latest controversy involving the messaging platform whose billionaire founder and CEO was recently accused by Russia of aiding terrorism, while Australian officials alleged it failed to block violent content. The Telegram app was briefly removed from Apple's iPhone and iPad App Stores on Monday night. Key Facts: The popular messaging app was taken down without any announcement on Monday evening, preventing new users from downloading it. Existing users were able to continue using Telegram during this period, before the app was eventually restored on the App Store later on Monday night. In a statement issued to various outlets, Apple said it had removed Telegram after a review found 'content that violits our strict guidelines prohibiting child sexual abuse material.' The iPhone maker added that the messaging app was restored to the App Store after the platform 'promptly removed the content and banned the user who posted it.' Telegram’s official X account reacted to the restoration by tweeting, 'reports of my demise are greatly exaggerated,' followed by the Apple emoji. The messaging platform then took a swipe at Apple’s statement by tagging the company in an X post which said, 'I'm sure this stance will be applied equally to all other apps in the store, in the future right?' Chief Critic: Though the app was restored after a short ban, the billionaire co-founder and CEO of Epic Games, Gary Sweeney, criticized Apple’s handling. Sweeney, who brought a high-profile antitrust case against Apple, wrote, 'Apple's App Store desperately needs competition worldwide. Apple capriciously removes a vital communication and privacy tool from availability to a billion users, and sadly this is business as usual.' He added, 'Apple has stated they removed the app from availability to a billion users because a Telegram user posted something horrible and illegal...Such arbitrary policy enforcement, by a monopoly gatekeeper, creates a perfect storm of fear and acquiescence by developers who are victims of Apple’s monopoly.'