Telegram is deliberately downplaying its user figures to avoid triggering stricter EU regulations, according to documents obtained by investigative outlet Follow the Money. The messaging service faces mounting pressure from European regulators, which could require hiring thousands of content moderators to combat illegal content if classified as a “very large online platform.”

By keeping reported active users below the EU’s 45 million threshold, Telegram aims to fend off tougher oversight from Brussels. This strategy comes amid ongoing battles with authorities over content moderation, encryption policies, and compliance with the Digital Services Act (DSA). The revelations highlight the tension between Telegram’s privacy-focused model and growing demands for proactive illegal content removal across the bloc.

source: ftm

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