Belgian telecommunications watchdog to monitor Telegram
The European Commission has given the Belgian telecom watchdog BIPT the task of monitoring the messaging app Telegram. Popular among political extremists, criminals and terrorists Telegram is controversial to say the least. The European Commission wants to take decisive action to curb the mass of illegal content on Telegram. It has given the Belgian Institute of Post and Telecommunications (BIPT) the task of monitoring the app.
Developed in 2013 by two Russian brothers, Telegram is said to have at least 700 million active users worldwide. In Europe, there are thought to be around 40 million Telegram-users. Moderation of content on the app is very limited. Now, the Belgian Institute of Postal Services and Telecommunications (BIPT) has been given the task of regulator for Telegram. BIPT will have EU-wide jurisdiction regarding the app.
Mathias Vermeulen of the data law firm AWO told the daily ‘De Standaard’ that "Suppose someone in the Netherlands notices that in a Telegram channel there are calls for violent action against a synagogue or mosque and they report this to Telegram and nothing is done. They will be able to file a complaint with BIPT".
This will be the case anywhere in the EU as BIPT will have jurisdiction with regard to Telegram in all 27 EU member states. If the app does not comply with BIPT’s demands, the regulator can impose a penalty.
BIPT is still waiting for its official designation as the competent authority. However, it will only be a matter of days before this is forthcoming.
Here in Belgium BIPT will also have to work closely with the telecom regulators of the country’s three language communities. The federal and Flemish parliaments and the parliaments of the Francophone and German language communities still have to ratify a cooperation agreement that will ensure that this happens.