Telegram Removed from App Store Due to CSAM, CEO Blames Extortionist
Telegram was briefly removed from the App Store after Apple detected child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in a public chat. CEO Pavel Durov claims an extortionist planted the CSAM to trigger the removal, highlighting a potential systemic risk for apps hosting user-generated content.
Key points
- Telegram was removed from the App Store due to a CSAM violation, according to Apple.
- Telegram CEO Pavel Durov claims an extortionist planted the CSAM to trigger the removal.
- The attacker allegedly used automated accounts to plant illegal content in public groups and report it to Apple.
- Durov warns that this creates a potential systemic risk for every mobile app hosting user-generated content.
- Telegram has removed over 337,900 groups and channels related to CSAM in 2026.
Pavel Durov, Telegram's CEO, has explained the circumstances surrounding the app's brief removal from the App Store. According to Durov, an extortionist planted child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in a public chat to trigger the removal. Apple had initially reported that the app was removed due to a CSAM violation, but Durov claims that the attacker manipulated the system to overreact.
The incident highlights a potential systemic risk for apps hosting user-generated content. Durov warns that any app can be removed from the App Store without prior warning, creating a vulnerability that can be exploited by extortionists.
Telegram has taken steps to combat CSAM on its platform. In 2026, the company removed over 337,900 groups and channels related to CSAM. However, the recent incident suggests that more needs to be done to prevent such attacks in the future.
Sources
The WireByte editorial team synthesises technology news from multiple primary sources, verifies the facts, and links every source. Articles are produced with AI assistance and reviewed under our editorial policy.