Telegram Under EU Investigation for Alleged User Count Deception

Telegram, the messaging platform founded by CEO Pavel Durov, is under scrutiny by European Union officials who suspect the company may have misrepresented its user numbers to avoid stricter regulation under the Digital Services Act (DSA).

This investigation could lead to tighter oversight of the platform, which is already facing significant legal challenges in France.

The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, a key department within the EU’s executive branch, has initiated a technical investigation aimed at verifying the accuracy of Telegram’s reported user numbers within the bloc. This comes after Telegram, earlier this year, claimed to have 41 million users in the EU, a figure that has since come under question. The platform was expected to provide an updated user count in August but instead stated that it had “significantly fewer than 45 million average monthly active recipients in the EU.” This vague disclosure has raised concerns among EU officials, who believe Telegram might actually have more than 45 million users in the region.

The 45 million user threshold is critical because platforms exceeding this number are classified as “very large online platforms” (VLOPs) under the DSA. VLOPs are subject to more stringent regulations, including higher compliance standards, enhanced content moderation obligations, and requirements to share data with the European Commission. Additionally, these platforms must undergo third-party audits. Non-compliance with the DSA can result in penalties of up to six percent of a company’s annual revenue.

Thomas Regnier, the European Commission’s spokesperson for digital issues, indicated that the EU has mechanisms in place to independently verify the user data provided by platforms like Telegram. “We have a way through our own systems and calculations to determine how accurate the user data is,” Regnier stated, underscoring the seriousness with which the Commission is approaching this investigation.

The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for Telegram. If the platform is found to have more than 45 million users in the EU and is therefore classified as a VLOP, it would be required to comply with the DSA’s stringent rules. This would involve more rigorous oversight and could impose substantial operational burdens on the company.

This investigation adds to the mounting legal pressures facing Telegram and its CEO, Pavel Durov. French prosecutors recently charged Durov as part of an ongoing investigation into the platform’s alleged involvement in illegal activities, including the distribution of child pornography, illegal drugs, and hacking software. Durov has also been accused of refusing to cooperate with law enforcement investigations into these activities on Telegram, which is known for its strong encryption and emphasis on user privacy.

Durov was arrested at an airport near Paris last weekend but was released after posting €5 million in bail. Despite his release, Durov remains under judicial supervision, required to stay in France and report to a police station twice weekly while the investigation continues. The charges against him, if proven, could have serious consequences for both Durov personally and for Telegram as a company.

Telegram, which is on the verge of reaching 1 billion users globally, could face significant challenges if the EU investigation concludes that it has indeed misrepresented its user numbers. Beyond the potential fines, the designation as a VLOP would subject the platform to far greater regulatory scrutiny and could impact its operations across Europe.