Renew MEP Sandro Gozi has asked the European Commission to assess whether Telegram's design and practices comply with the Digital Services Act (DSA), following a report that documents systemic technology-facilitated gender-based violence on the platform. The question, submitted on 8 April 2026, targets the messaging app's role in enabling the distribution of non-consensual intimate images, including of minors, doxxing, harassment, and AI-generated sexual content.
The parliamentary question references a report by AI Forensics, which identifies a large-scale, structured, and monetised ecosystem of abuse on Telegram, involving tens of thousands of users. The report highlights insufficient moderation and finds that Telegram's design features and premium services automate, monetise, and enable cross-border spread of such content.
whether it is aware of the report and its conclusions, how it assesses Telegram's compliance with the DSA, and whether it will take enforcement actions, including potentially designating Telegram as a very large online platform (VLOP) under the DSA. The VLOP designation would subject Telegram to stricter obligations, including systemic risk assessments and mitigation measures.
The question signals a push for stronger regulatory oversight of Telegram, which has faced criticism for lax content moderation. The Commission is expected to reply within six weeks; its answer will indicate whether it views Telegram's practices as violating the DSA and whether enforcement is imminent. The outcome could have significant implications for Telegram's operations in the EU and for the broader debate on platform accountability for gender-based violence.
← Atlas › News › Digital & Communication