Germany wants to be a great operator of Telegram messenger apps

Berlin – The German authorities have filed a lawsuit against Telegramme, which could fine operators of messenger apps for failure to comply with laws that oblige social media sites to monitor user behavior

The German magazine Der Spiegel believes that the authorities reached a threshold at the weekend where the use of the Telegram app such as Facebook, Twitter and TikTok can be dealt with if cooperation with the German authorities is required. I reported.

A Justice Department spokesman confirmed on Monday that authorities have written to Telegram operators in the United Arab Emirates that they do not provide a channel and German connection for filing complaints.

“The company now has the opportunity to react,” said spokeswoman Rabea Bönnighausen to reporters in Berlin.

Der Spiegel reported that non-compliance could result in fines of up to 5.5 million euros (6.7 million dollars).

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Telegram did not immediately respond to the request for comment.

Telegram was founded by Russian brothers Nikolai and Pavel Durov and has grown in popularity in Germany in recent years, including right-wing groups and groups opposing the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

In 2017, the Bundestag passed the Network Enforcement Act with the aim of enforcing the country’s existing language restrictions online, including a long-term ban on Holocaust denial.

Opponents argue that the law risks suppressing freedom of expression.