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Telegram briefly removed from App Store after CSAM planted

·1 min read·2 outlets

The short version

Telegram was briefly removed from the Apple App Store after an extortionist allegedly planted child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in a public chat. The incident raises concerns about systemic risks for platforms hosting user-generated content.

Telegram was temporarily removed from the Apple App Store on August 4, 2026.1 Pavel Durov, Telegram's CEO, stated that an extortionist planted child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in a public chat to trigger the removal.1 Durov claimed Apple removed Telegram before contacting the company.1

Durov described the incident as creating a potential systemic risk for apps hosting user-generated content.2,1 Durov made the remarks in a post on X (formerly Twitter).1

“Apple removed Telegram from the App Store before contacting us. This creates a potential systemic risk for every mobile app that hosts user-generated content.”
Pavel Durov, Telegram CEO1

Why it matters

  • The App Store is Apple's digital marketplace for iOS applications, where developers distribute software to users.1

  • Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) refers to any content depicting sexually explicit activities involving a minor, which is illegal in most jurisdictions.1

This account was written from the 2 reports listed below, filed by 2 independent outlets, and checked against them line by line. It is not a copy of any one of them. Spotted an error? Tell us.

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2 source reports

2 outlets · 1 countries · citation numbers match the article

  1. 1

    The Verge · US

    Telegram CEO says an extortionist planted CSAM in a chat to get it pulled from the App Store

    Aug 4, 2026

  2. 2

    Engadget · US

    Telegram CEO says 'takedown extortionist' was responsible for the app being briefly delisted by Apple

    Aug 4, 2026

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