Key highlights:
- Telegram disappeared from Apple’s App Store on Monday for hours
- The move comes as the company identified content on the app that violated its policies
- As the app removed the content, the company reinstated it on the App Store
Apple took a brief but firm action against Telegram, one of the most widely used messaging applications. As Apple identified content that violated its child safety policies, it briefly removed the platform from its App Store. On Monday, iPhone and iPad users reported that they failed to find the app in search results for many hours.
However, the American multinational technology company reinstated the application later. This move came after Telegram reportedly removed the offending content and banned the responsible user. While the incident highlights the growing pressure on Telegram, it also underscores Apple’s strict enforcement of its App Store guidelines.
Why did Apple remove Telegram from its App Store?
According to a Reuters report, Telegram disappeared from Apple’s App Store for a few hours on Monday. This prevented new users from downloading the application on iPhones and iPads. While users who had already downloaded it could use Telegram without any interruption, new users were not able to find it on App Store search results or via Apple’s listing page.
As per the report, Apple’s temporary removal of Telegram is driven by content that violated the App Store guidelines that prohibited “child sexual abuse material.” The company’s official statement read,
“We briefly removed Telegram from the App Store after our review found content that violates our strict guidelines prohibiting child sexual abuse material. The app was subsequently restored after the developer promptly removed the content and banned the user who posted it.”
Significantly, the technology company’s action has affected users in many regions. Being one of the most active messaging apps, more users are downloading it every day. But on Monday, new users were unable to install it due to Apple’s enforcement action.
It is worth noting that this is not the first time Apple has removed Telegram from its App Store. Previously, in 2018, the company temporarily delisted both Telegram and Telegram X over concerns of inappropriate content. After the platform removed the content and introduced additional safeguards to comply with Apple’s guidelines, the company restored them.
Telegram confirms App Store Return
Interestingly, as discussions about Apple’s removal of Telegram continued to flood social media platforms, the official X account of the messaging app posted, “Reports of my demise are greatly exaggerated.” But the platform hasn’t yet commented on the reason behind Apple’s move.
After some hours of its disappearance from the App Store, the platform confirmed that it has been restored and will be available to all users. However, the team hasn’t revealed the steps taken after Apple restricted its use.
The latest development adds to the list of challenges Telegram faces, especially due to allegations that the platform has been used to spread abusive content and facilitate illegal activities. Recently, as CoinCodex reported, the Russian government added Telegram founder Pavel Durov to their international wanted list. The country alleged that Durov hasn’t taken any necessary steps to stop the use of his platform for illegal activities, including terrorist attacks, mass killings, and cyber fraud operations.
Source:: Apple Removes Telegram Over Child Abuse Content, Restores App Hours Later