Apple Pulls Telegram Messenger From App Store for 'Inappropriate Content' [Update: Returned]

Apple has pulled popular encrypted messenger app Telegram from the App Store, following reports of "inappropriate content" hosted on the platform that violated Apple's developer guidelines for iOS apps.

Users first noted Telegram's absence late on Wednesday via Reddit, after App Store searches for the app began returning results for Viber, Skype, and Messenger instead. Both the original app and experimental offshoot Telegram X still don't appear on the App Store at the time of writing.

The exact reason for the apps' removal isn't yet clear, but Telegram founder Pavel Durov responded to a tweet on Thursday by explaining that the company was alerted by Apple to "inappropriate content" made available to users of both apps, which led to them being pulled.

We were alerted by Apple that inappropriate content was made available to our users and both apps were taken off the App Store. Once we have protections in place we expect the apps to be back on the App Store.
— Pavel Durov (@durov) February 1, 2018

Apple's review guidelines include a section on user safety that prohibits "upsetting or offensive content", while a sub-section covering user-generated content requires that the relevant apps include:

• A method for filtering objectionable material from being posted to the app
• A mechanism to report offensive content and timely responses to concerns
• The ability to block abusive users from the service
• Published contact information so users can easily reach you

Apps with user-generated content or services that end up being used primarily for pornographic content, objectification of real people (e.g. “hot-or-not” voting), making physical threats, or bullying do not belong on the App Store and may be removed without notice.

We'll update this post if we hear more details on the situation.

Update: At around 8:00 a.m. PT, company CEO Pavel Durov tweeted that Telegram is now back on the iOS App Store.

Tag: Telegram

Top Rated Comments

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YaBe

10 months ago

We were alerted by Apple that inappropriate content was made available to our users and both apps were taken off the App Store.

Apple should shut down internet, it is filled with inappropriate content!

Rating: 29 Votes

itsmilo

10 months ago

wtf. makes no sense ... any messenger, including iMessage could be used for in-appropriate content. what about Grinder or Tinder

Rating: 16 Votes

MacDawg

10 months ago

No you don't. It's a private encrypted messaging app. Can be anything from trade secrets to rape to child pornography. Same applies to all messaging apps that are currently still available and provide exactly the same facilities.

YES, I do need more information, what's so hard to understand about that?

For the very reasons you state... I need more information from Apple why they chose to pull this app specifically and not others if I am going to understand and have an informed opinion about their actions.

Rating: 15 Votes

Heineken

10 months ago

So stupid. 1984?

Rating: 14 Votes

MacDawg

10 months ago

I prefer to know Apple's REASON for action, and there isn't enough information given for that

Rating: 10 Votes

MacDawg

10 months ago

You don't need more information. We know how these apps works and we know that anything can transferred using those apps. I'm pretty sure there are people using iMessage for child pornography.

You may not need more information, but I do... for the very reason you state
Many things are transferred by Messages and through email and other apps yet they are still available
What makes this different?
Yes, I need more information to make a judgement about Apple's action here

Rating: 10 Votes

itsmilo

10 months ago

You don't need more information. We know how these apps works and we know that anything can transferred using those apps. I'm pretty sure there are people using iMessage for child pornography.

uhm this is exactly why we need more information

Rating: 8 Votes

c0ppo

10 months ago

Apple is just being Apple - plain dumb.
Now I suggest that Apple removes icloud photos as well, since we all know what some people keep on their icloud (fapenning). And iMessage as well, because this can be used for a lot of bad things. But when I think about it, voice calls are probably the worst....

So glad I jumped ship. Not returning to iOS anymore.

Rating: 6 Votes

MacDawg

10 months ago

Doesn't sound like a lot of information is available
Hard to make a judgement based on what has been stated so far

Rating: 6 Votes

Heineken

10 months ago

Doesn't sound like a lot of information is available
Hard to make a judgement based on what has been stated so far

You don't need more information. We know how these apps works and we know that anything can transferred using those apps. I'm pretty sure there are people using iMessage for child pornography.

Rating: 5 Votes

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