MADRID: Spain’s High Court has ordered to suspend the services of messaging app Telegram throughout the country. This decision comes in response to complaints from media companies alleging that Telegram has been allowing users to upload copyrighted content without proper authorization, according to a source familiar with the court’s proceedings.
Effective from Monday onwards, the use of Telegram in Spain will be temporarily halted following a request filed by several media firms, including Atresmedia, EGEDA, Mediaset, and Telefonica.
Judge Santiago Pedraz has approved the suspension of Telegram’s services while the allegations against the messaging platform are being investigated. Mobile phone providers in Spain will be tasked with implementing the blockade of Telegram’s services, as confirmed by the court source.
At the time of reporting, Telegram has not issued a response to the court’s decision. Similarly, a spokesperson for the High Court has refrained from commenting on the matter.
Telegram currently ranks as the fourth most popular messaging service in Spain, as per data from the competition watchdog CNMC. Approximately 19% of Spaniards surveyed by CNMC reported using Telegram for their messaging needs.
