India blocked Telegram for six days in June 2026 under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act after the platform was allegedly used to circulate leaked papers from the highly competitive national medical entrance exam. The Delhi High Court’s endorsement of the platform-wide ban stretches a power the Supreme Court upheld in 2015 on the basis of its narrow scope and procedural safeguards, creating regulatory uncertainty for businesses. Regulatory certainty and proportionality require targeted takedowns, prior judicial authorisation and transparent blocking orders, with platform-wide restrictions used only as a last resort.
by Divyansha Sehgal, Asheef Iqubbal – East Asia Forum India’s Telegram ban sets a dangerous precedent for platform blocking
