According to the Digital Services Act, Telegram must be able to report to a European authority about the content on the platform. This body will be the BIPT.

The Belgian Institute of Posts and Telecommunications (BIPT) will become the regulator for Telegram’s activities in Europe. Since the beginning of this year, Telegram has been subject to the Digital Services Act (DSA), which means that the messaging service in the EU must be responsible for what appears on its platform. Telegram is headquartered in Dubai and has appointed Belgian company EDSR as its representative in the European Union. This made the BIPT competent.

The DSA contains many provisions, but an important part concerns disinformation, fake news and other illegal content. Providers are responsible for taking action if their platforms host or are misused to distribute harmful or illegal content.

Illegal trade

In the case of Telegram, BIPT has a whole sandwich on its plate. Telegram is the platform of choice for criminals, drug sellers and propaganda spreaders. The platform is a kind of cross between WhatsApp and a public forum. As a user, you can access all sorts of groups that target fraudulent trading with just a few clicks. Think drug sales, dealing in counterfeit money and more.

Telegram is also used to spread propaganda and fake news. For example, the Islamic State used Telegram and Hamas also has propaganda channels. Telegram takes action against such blatant excesses, but the sale of medicines, for example, is not moderated or restricted in any way today. This is no longer acceptable with the DSA and BIPT must now ensure that Telegram complies with European rules. We’ll have to wait a few more days for the official date, De Standaard knows. From this point on, the BIPT is responsible, but a cooperation agreement still needs to be drawn up with the regulatory authorities of the federal states.

Questionable encryption

Telegram was founded by two Russians who say they place great value on freedom of expression. However, unlike Signal (and WhatsApp, which use the same protocol), the encryption behind Telegram is not public. It is therefore unclear how secure messages via Telegram really are. According to its own information, Telegram has 700 million active users worldwide, including around 40 million in Europe.