India: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting notified Telegram to disable access to pirated content under Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021

On 18 March 2026, the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting disclosed in the Lok Sabha that on 11 March 2026 it had notified Telegram to remove and disable access to 3'142 channels distributing content owned by or licensed to content owners, Over-The-Top (OTT) platform operators and film producers without authorisation, in violation of the Copyright Act 1957, under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act 2000. The section enables the government to notify intermediaries to remove or disable access to unlawful content. The Ministry also disclosed that it had blocked approximately 800 websites hosting pirated content through Internet Service Providers (ISPs). The Ministry noted that the Cinematograph (Amendment) Act 2023 provides for penalties of up to 3 years' imprisonment and a fine of up to 5% of the audited gross production cost for unauthorised recording and transmission of films.