India Orders Telegram to Remove Pirated Content to Protect Film Industry

India has issued a directive to the messaging platform Telegram to identify and remove channels hosting pirated films and Over-the-Top (OTT) content. The move marks an escalation in the government’s enforcement against digital copyright infringement, which causes significant revenue losses for the domestic media and entertainment sector. Targeting Illegal Distribution Networks Authorities have identified hundreds of Telegram groups used to disseminate high-definition copies of new theatrical releases and premium streaming content. These channels often host thousands of members, providing direct download links or streaming mirrors for proprietary content from major platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ Hotstar. Under India’s Information Technology rules, platforms are required to act within a specific timeframe once notified of copyright violations. Telegram, which maintains a massive user base in India, has faced increasing pressure from both the government and private rights holders to improve its moderation of public channels used for illegal file sharing. Economic Impact on Media Sector Piracy remains a critical challenge for the Indian film industry,…