- Apple briefly removed the Telegram messaging app from its App Store after a review found content that violated its guidelines prohibiting child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
- Telegram was made unavailable for new downloads in the US, India, Australia, and Singapore during the removal.
- Telegram removed the offending content and banned the user who posted it, leading to the app's restoration.
- Apple restored Telegram to the App Store after the necessary actions were taken.
- Telegram humorously commented on the incident on X, stating: “Reports of my demise are greatly exaggerated.”
- Apple removed Telegram in a similar incident in 2018, when it determined that users could access inappropriate content, including CSAM, through the platforms.
- Telegram has removed over 337,900 groups and channels related to CSAM in 2026 as part of its efforts to combat such content.
Apple briefly removed Telegram from its App Store after an App Store review identified content that violated its strict guidelines on child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The app was unavailable for users in several countries, including the US, India, Australia, and Singapore, but was restored after the developer took action.12345678910
According to Apple, the app was reinstated after “the developer promptly removed the content and banned the user who posted it.” Telegram confirmed the restoration, stating, “Telegram has been restored on the App Store and should soon be available again for all users,” without providing further details on the incident.
For a brief period, Telegram's App Store listing displayed a message stating, “The page you’re looking for can’t be found,” making it unavailable for new downloads. Existing users, however, continued to access the service, while Telegram remained available on the Google Play Store and the Mac App Store.
In response to the allegations, Telegram stated, “Apple reported one user sharing CSAM, who was immediately banned. Telegram has removed more than 337,900 groups and channels related to CSAM in 2026.” This incident echoes a similar situation in 2018 when Apple removed both Telegram and its alternative client app Telegram X for similar violations, leading to the introduction of additional safeguards by Telegram.
An Apple spokesperson did not respond to requests for further comment on the guidelines violation, and Telegram also did not provide additional comments.
“Telegram said Apple reported one user sharing CSAM, who was immediately banned, and that it has removed more than 337,900 CSAM-related groups and channels in 2026. Telegram also shot back on X: “Reports of my demise are greatly exaggerated,” while remaining available on the Google Play Store and Mac App Store.”
