A new study by the US-based Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) reveals that Telegram, a popular messaging app, uses an algorithm that inadvertently promotes extremist content. The research, shared exclusively with the BBC, highlights how Telegram’s “similar channels” feature, introduced last year, recommends extremist content even to users exploring benign topics like celebrities or technology.
The SPLC study analyzed 28,000 Telegram channels and found that users engaging with mundane content were often directed toward extreme ideologies. For example, a simple search for “Donald Trump” led to recommendations of Q-Anon conspiracy channels, while searching “UK riots” returned far-right extremist memes and channels. The study also noted that users engaging with one form of extremist content, such as anti-government conspiracies, were funneled into other ideologies like antisemitism and white nationalism.
Megan Squires, the study’s lead researcher, described Telegram as a “digital threat,” emphasizing the platform’s role in spreading criminal and extremist material. “It’s dishing out enormous amounts of criminal content. On a scale of one to 10, Telegram is an 11,” she stated.
Telegram’s founder, Russian billionaire Pavel Durov, is under investigation in France for allegedly failing to curb criminal activities on the platform, including facilitating drug dealing, organized crime, and the sharing of child abuse material. While on bail, Durov has denied these allegations.
Extremist Content and Criminal Activities
Best known for its secretive messaging features, Telegram also allows nearly one billion users to create channels that broadcast messages and videos to audiences of up to 200,000 people. This feature has become a breeding ground for extremist content and criminal activities, according to researchers and law enforcement.
Prof. David Maimon from Georgia State University, who has spent years studying illegal content on Telegram, identified tens of thousands of channels offering tools for scammers, firearms, and other illicit goods. In one demonstration, a Telegram seller offered to ship an Uzi submachine gun to the UK for £850 within days.
Telegram’s role in inciting violence has also come under scrutiny. Following a knife attack in Southport in August, Telegram channels were among the first to circulate false claims about the suspect being an asylum seeker, which contributed to riots.
Lack of Moderation
Former Telegram insider Elies Campo told BBC Panorama that he confronted Durov in 2021 about the platform’s extremist content. Durov reportedly resisted increasing moderation efforts, stating that the platform should not decide “who should be speaking out.” Campo added, “If he could choose, he would prefer a stance where he doesn’t have to moderate anything.”
Telegram’s Response
Telegram has rejected the study’s findings, asserting that its moderation teams and AI tools remove millions of harmful posts daily. It maintains that users only see content they actively subscribe to and denies amplifying or promoting content through algorithms.
The company emphasized that its “channel suggestions” feature is based on topics users already follow, ensuring recommendations align with user preferences. “This approach is fundamentally different from how other platforms make suggestions,” Telegram stated.
Despite these claims, critics argue that Telegram’s algorithm and limited moderation policies contribute to its role as a hub for extremist ideologies and illegal activities, raising concerns about the platform’s impact on global security and safety.
