The Telegram Problem: Why It's the Hardest Platform for Takedowns

If your content ends up on Telegram, you're in for a fight. Unlike other platforms, Telegram actively resists takedown requests, operates from Dubai with minimal US legal exposure, and has built its brand on being "censorship-resistant." Here's the reality of removing content from Telegram—and the strategies that actually work.

Why Telegram Is Different

Most platforms—Reddit, Twitter, Pornhub—comply with DMCA requests because they're US-based or have significant US operations. They don't want legal trouble.

Telegram is different:

• Headquartered in Dubai: Outside US legal jurisdiction
• No US office: Can't easily be served with legal documents
• Privacy-focused brand: Resisting takedowns is part of their identity
• Decentralized moderation: Channel owners have full control; Telegram rarely intervenes

The Official DMCA Process (And Why It Usually Fails)

Telegram does have a DMCA process: telegram.org/dmca

Here's what typically happens when you submit:

1. You fill out the form with URLs to infringing content
2. You wait days to weeks (sometimes indefinitely)
3. Maybe the content gets removed. Maybe it doesn't.
4. If the channel owner disputes, Telegram often sides with them
5. Even if removed, the channel stays up and re-uploads within hours

Success rate: In our experience, standard DMCA requests to Telegram work maybe 20-30% of the time for public channels, and almost never for private groups.

What Actually Works

1. Report for "Illegal Content" Instead of Copyright

Telegram is more responsive to reports about illegal pornography, non-consensual intimate images (NCII), or content involving minors than to copyright claims. If your situation qualifies:

• Use Telegram's in-app report function
• Select "illegal content" or "pornography" rather than copyright
• In some jurisdictions, non-consensual sharing of intimate content IS illegal—frame it that way

2. Get the Channel Banned, Not Just the Content

Removing individual posts is whack-a-mole. The goal is getting the entire channel or group shut down. This requires:

• Multiple reports from different accounts
• Documentation of repeated violations
• Evidence of illegal activity beyond copyright (harassment, NCII, etc.)

3. Target the Channel Owner Directly

Sometimes you can identify who runs the channel. If you can:

• Many channel owners link to other platforms (Discord, Twitter) where they can be reported
• Some sell access or take payments—report to payment processors
• If they're in a country with strong privacy laws, legal threats may work

4. Hit Adjacent Services

Telegram channels often rely on external services:

• Link aggregators: If they post Mega/Drive links, DMCA those services (which DO comply)
• Payment processors: Report channels selling stolen content to Stripe, PayPal, crypto exchanges
• Bots: Many channels use bots hosted on external servers—those servers can be DMCA'd
• Invite links: Get invite links banned from other platforms so the channel can't grow

5. EU/UK Legal Routes

While Telegram ignores US law, they've shown more responsiveness to EU regulations (GDPR, DSA) and UK courts. If you or your legal representation can file in these jurisdictions:

• GDPR "right to be forgotten" requests
• UK court orders (Telegram has complied with some)
• EU Digital Services Act complaints

6. Make the Channel Unprofitable

Leak channels exist to make money (ads, subscriptions, traffic). Cut off the revenue:

• Report to advertisers whose ads appear in the channel
• Report payment links to processors
• DMCA the external sites they drive traffic to
• Get their promotion banned on other platforms

What Doesn't Work

• Standard DMCA emails: Usually ignored
• Threats: Channel owners know Telegram protects them
• Reporting from one account: Gets dismissed as spam
• Targeting individual messages: New uploads replace them instantly

Private Groups: Even Harder

Public channels are bad. Private groups are worse.

With private groups, you can't even see the content to report it (unless you join). Telegram won't act on reports about content they can't verify exists. Your options:

• Join the group (or have someone join) to document the content
• Report with screenshots as evidence
• Focus on getting the invite links banned everywhere else
• Legal action against the group owner (if identifiable)

The Bottom Line

Telegram is the hardest platform for content removal. Success requires a multi-pronged approach: official reports, targeting adjacent services, legal routes in receptive jurisdictions, and cutting off the channel's revenue and growth.

It's time-consuming and frustrating. But it's not impossible—especially if you're strategic about it.