4th August 2026 – (Cupertino) Apple briefly delisted messaging platform Telegram from the iPhone and iPad App Stores on Monday, citing a breach of its rules on child sexual abuse material. The takedown blocked new downloads but did not affect existing users, and the app returned to the store later the same day after Telegram removed the offending content and banned the account involved, according to Apple.
Telegram said Apple had flagged a single user sharing illegal material which was “immediately” addressed. The company added that it has removed more than 337,900 groups and channels related to child sexual abuse material in 2026, and pointed to 29,640 removals in 2025 following reports from organisations including the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. On X, Telegram quipped that “reports of my demise are greatly exaggerated,” and questioned whether Apple would apply its stance uniformly across other apps.
Apple’s move drew criticism from Epic Games founder Tim Sweeney, who argued the incident underscored the need for greater competition in app distribution. He accused Apple of arbitrary enforcement by a dominant gatekeeper, saying such actions can pressure developers to acquiesce to the company’s policies.
The episode arrives amid heightened scrutiny of Telegram globally. Russian authorities last month charged chief executive Pavel Durov with aiding terrorism, alleging the platform failed to remove channels and bots used to coordinate violent acts, a claim Telegram appeared to mock on social media. In Australia, the online safety regulator has launched legal action accusing the platform of not taking down extremist material, including footage of mass shootings and ISIS beheadings; Telegram has said it will contest the case. Durov, who the company says lives in Dubai and holds UAE and French citizenship, was arrested in France in 2024 and later indicted on multiple charges linked to platform abuse—allegations Telegram has rejected as absurd. Forbes estimates Durov’s net worth at $6.6 billion, ranking him 601st worldwide.