
Telegram has purged multiple channels engaged in doxxing, blackmail, and extortion after receiving a wave of user reports, marking a rare and decisive enforcement action on the platform known for its minimal moderation.
The crackdown was announced by Telegram founder Pavel Durov, who stated that the bans follow an influx of reports submitted over the past three weeks. According to Durov, Telegram identified and removed channels that engaged in targeted defamation, extortion, and the sale of so-called “protection blocks,” a practice in which victims are coerced into paying to avoid being doxxed or defamed.
This wave of bans appears to be the result of a coordinated internal investigation, which Telegram initiated following Durov’s earlier post asking users to report abusive activity. Hundreds of users responded with allegations of scams and blackmail, providing Telegram’s moderation team with enough material to act. The banned channels allegedly posted harmful or defamatory content about individuals, then demanded payment in exchange for its removal. In some cases, channel admins offered preemptive extortion schemes, charging victims to stay off a future target list.

CyberInsider
Telegram, founded in 2013 by Pavel and Nikolai Durov, currently serves over 900 million monthly active users and is widely recognized for its encrypted messaging capabilities and hands-off moderation approach. Its openness has made it a critical tool for privacy advocates, journalists, and protesters worldwide, but also a magnet for threat actors, scammers, and extremist groups.
The company’s laissez-faire reputation has increasingly drawn scrutiny, particularly in cases where Telegram has been used to spread hacked data, coordinate harassment campaigns, or distribute non-consensual content. While Telegram has occasionally removed high-profile extremist groups or CSAM-related channels, enforcement on scams and targeted harassment has historically been inconsistent.
The current enforcement suggests a shift, at least partially, toward greater accountability for users who exploit Telegram's anonymity and broadcast features for personal gain. Although the platform does not routinely disclose moderation statistics, Durov’s language suggests that the affected channels were not small or isolated. The mention of “undeniable evidence” and repeat offenders implies that Telegram deployed more aggressive detection methods beyond simple user reporting.
Durov warned operators of banned channels not to attempt re-entry by creating duplicates, stating Telegram would continue to monitor and remove clones.
For users concerned about being targeted on Telegram, the best defense remains proactive privacy hygiene: limit the visibility of your phone number and profile information, avoid joining unverified public groups, and report suspicious behavior directly through the app. Those being harassed or extorted should retain copies of chat history and contact local authorities, as such behavior may also violate criminal law in many jurisdictions.
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