Spanish Supreme Court orders suspension of Telegram use, local media giant sues Telegram for content misuse.

Reuters reports that the High Court of Spain has ordered a temporary suspension of the popular messaging app Telegram, following complaints from media giants accusing Telegram of being a platform for unauthorized content sharing.

Spanish Media Unite to Accuse Telegram

Leading the charge against Telegram are well-known Spanish media outlets such as Atresmedia, EGEDA, Mediaset, and Telefonica. These companies have issued warnings regarding the unauthorized sharing of their content on the platform, leading to a legal showdown. Starting next Monday, Spaniards will find themselves unable to access Telegram's services, causing a stir nationwide.

Court Rules to Temporarily Halt Telegram Usage

Judge Santiago Pedraz has approved the temporary suspension to protect digital content rights. However, the task of enforcing this ban falls on telecom companies, a request that is unprecedented and controversial. This decision has left many curious about the future of privacy, freedom of speech, and content sharing.

Telegram Remains Silent

Reuters attempted to contact Telegram but received no response. The High Court has also remained silent, leaving the public and digital communities to speculate on the next chapter of these events.

19% of Spain's Population Uses Telegram

Telegram has a strong presence in Spain, ranking as the fourth-largest messaging service. According to CNMC data, nearly 19% of the population relies on its services, highlighting the significant impact of this suspension. The popularity of this app is not just a national phenomenon but a global one, with over 700 million monthly active users worldwide projected by 2023. Therefore, the temporary halt in Spain is not just a local issue; it is a significant event in the global digital landscape.

Telegram Interested in IPO, Criminal Issues Remain Unresolved

Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram who fled Russia and resides in Dubai, recently told the Financial Times that Telegram is considering an initial public offering (IPO) and has received investor valuations exceeding $30 billion.

However, concerns about Telegram's pro-Russian stance and the criminal issues arising from the integration with the cryptocurrency TON could pose significant obstacles to its IPO listing in the US.

A report by the US cybersecurity company ANALYST1 recently revealed that Toncoin TON, one of the top ten cryptocurrencies by market value, is used by a pro-Russian hacker group called "KillNet" as a source of operational funds, utilizing anonymous accounts, wallets, and bot services on The Open Network. The integration of Telegram with TON is seen as a new gathering place for illegal activities on the dark web.

New dark web emerging? TON used to fund pro-Russian hacker groups, fueling various illegal activities on Telegram