Telegram, a multi-platform instant messaging application, allows creating public channels to broadcast messages and ISIS was found to be using the feature for spreading its propaganda.
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The service, set up two years ago, has caught on in many corners of the globe as an ultra-secure way to quickly upload and share videos, texts and voice messages.
“As a result, this week alone we blocked 78 ISIS-related channels across 12 languages”, it added.
Berlin-based Telegram said the move would only affect public channels and automated response systems called ‘bots.’ Messages between individuals and group chats that can include up to 200 users would not be affected.
The messaging app introduced channels, which it touted as “a new tool for broadcasting your messages to large audiences” on September 22.
With hacking group Anonymous finding over 5,000 ISIS accounts on Twitter, the terror group is finding new ways to chat. Telegram users have been reporting the channels and then the company itself is shutting them down, according to the company. “They [Telegram] started their war on #IslamicState…be careful and from now on nothing is save [sic] to use”, one Telegram user posted on an ISIS-channel.
But the app has banned numerous channels that were being used to do so. Telegram, which did not respond to requests for comment for this story.
But IS supporters continue to take advantage of private members-only channels on Telegram to spread word of the new public propaganda channels.
Telegram owners did the only thing that they could.
Telegram launched in 2013 by brothers Nikolai and Pavel Durov, who has been dubbed “the Mark Zuckerberg of Russian Federation”.
Telegram was set up by the two brothers who founded VKontakte. Telegram says on its website that making profits will never be one of its goals, and if it runs out of money it will ask for donations and charge for nonessential add-ons.
Telegram is a free cloud-based messaging app that claims to be faster and way more secure than similar services like WhatsApp, and it has supposedly become popular among jihadist groups. It says it has 60 million active users.
“For example, if criticizing the government is illegal in a country, Telegram won’t be part of such politically-motivated censorship”.
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Earlier this week he wrote on Facebook that he mourned the Paris attacks “in the most attractive city in the world” but also criticised the French government.
