Delhi HC: Telegram Must Reveal Identity Of Users Pirating Jagran E-Paper

According to a recent ruling from the Delhi High Court, Telegram must provide the names of any users or channel owners who were spreading Dainik Jagran ePapers without authorisation.

The Court has additionally ruled that Telegram must adhere to Indian law and disclose details including IP addresses, mobile phone numbers, and equipment used to run channels that violate copyright.

The Court states, “The defendant no.1 (Telegram) shall comply with the direction issued by this Court vide order dated 29.05.2020 within a period of three weeks from today. The information may be disclosed by the defendant no. 1 in a sealed cover. On perusing the information, the Court shall consider if any further directions are required to be passed on the next date of hearing.”

The Court issued an order in May 2020 directing Telegram to disclose the names of the owners and users of the channels. However, Telegram has claimed that even though the channels had been deleted, it would be difficult to reveal the identities because both its policies forbade it and it lacked the necessary data.