The High Court of Spain has decided to temporarily suspend the popular messaging application Telegram effective from March 25, 2024. This decision came after numerous media companies, including Atresmedia, EGEDA, Mediaset, and Telefonica, filed complaints alleging that Telegram facilitated the unauthorized sharing of content.
A Noteworthy Step in Spain
In relation to the emerging process, Judge Santiago Pedraz issued the suspension order to allow for a comprehensive investigation into the allegations. According to this directive, mobile service providers operating in Spain will be responsible for implementing the blockade against Telegram’s activities. This measure is considered significant, given that Telegram is the fourth most used messaging platform in the country.
Known for its strong encryption and privacy features, the platform has a user base that covers approximately 19% of the Spanish population. A consumer rights advocacy group, FACUA, warns of the severe damages the court’s decision could cause to the millions of users of this messaging application, as well as to companies, organizations, and public and private institutions that legally disseminate content through the platform’s channels. FACUA activist Rubén Sánchez commented on the issue:
“It’s as if they’re shutting down the internet because there are websites illegally hosting copyrighted content, or as if they’re cutting off all television signals because there are networks engaging in piracy.”
Telegram and the Crypto Sphere
The suspension raises questions about the balance between copyright protection and digital freedoms. Telegram, which reported more than 700 million active users worldwide in 2023, is at a critical juncture. The company’s response to the suspension decision, as well as further comments from the High Court, are awaited.
This development affects millions of Telegram users and sets a precedent for how digital platforms are regulated in Spain. The process is expected to particularly impact crypto investors, as Telegram has recently seen a surge in interest from cryptocurrency users. The recent memecoin hype and trading bots within the application will no longer be available to Spanish investors due to this decision.
