Telegram
Telegram has been described by NCMEC as 'truly in a league of their own' regarding lack of moderation. The platform files zero reports to NCMEC as it's not U.S.-based. CEO Pavel Durov was arrested in Paris in 2024 on charges including complicity in CSAM distribution. Telegram only joined the IWF in December 2024 after years of refusal.
Failing — inadequate child safety measures, poor transparency, or active resistance to oversight.
None
NCMEC Reports (2024)
None
NCMEC Reports (2023)
N/A
Year-over-Year Change
NCMEC Reports Comparison (2024)
How Telegram's reporting volume compares to other major platforms.
Safety Features Assessment
✓ What They Have
- ✓Zero-tolerance CSAM policy (stated)
- ✓Joined Internet Watch Foundation (Dec 2024)
✗ What's Missing or Failing
- ✗Not in NCMEC ESP reports (not U.S.-based)
- ✗No proactive scanning of private/encrypted chats
- ✗Minimal transparency reporting
- ✗NCMEC described Telegram as 'truly in a league of their own' for lack of moderation
- ✗CEO arrested on CSAM-related charges
Lawsuits & Enforcement Actions
CEO Pavel Durov arrested in Paris (Aug 2024) on charges including complicity in CSAM distribution
Australia eSafety Commission fined Telegram ~A$957,780 in 2025
Platform Comparison
| Platform | Grade | 2024 Reports | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meta (Facebook & Instagram) | D | 11,910,365 | ↓ 59.3% |
| C | 1,851,086 | ↑ 33.2% | |
| TikTok | C | 1,359,806 | ↑ 130.3% |
| Google / YouTube | B | 1,175,084 | ↓ 20.1% |
| Snapchat | D | 1,174,698 | ↑ 64.7% |
| Twitter / X | D | 686,176 | ↓ 21.2% |
| Discord | C | 241,354 | ↓ 28.9% |
| Microsoft / Xbox | B | 102,657 | ↓ 27.2% |
What Parents Should Know
Telegram does not scan for CSAM and has zero NCMEC reports — treat it as an unmonitored platform.
Disable 'Allow New Chats from Unknown Users' in Privacy settings.
Be aware that Telegram groups can have up to 200,000 members with minimal moderation.
Review and enable all available parental controls on this platform.
Have regular conversations with your child about their online activity.
Monitor friend/follower lists and direct messages periodically.