How Telegram Became a Playground for Criminals, Extremists and Terrorists.
For millions of people, Telegram is like any other social media or messaging app.
In Brazil, 167,000 people subscribe to a Telegram channel for news about reality shows and entertainment. More than 1 million users in India prepare for government exams in another channel. One called Whale with more than 3 million followers, crypto trading tips are swapped in Arabic.
Look deeper, and a dark underbelly emerges.
Uncut lumps of cocaine and shards of crystal meth are on sale. Handguns and stolen checks are widely available. White nationalists use the platform to coordinate fight clubs and plan rallies. Hamas broadcast its Oct. 7 attack on Israel on the site.
The degree to which Telegram has been inundated by such content has not been previously reported. Investigation found 1,500 channels operated by white supremacists who coordinate activities among almost 1 million people around the world.
For millions of people, Telegram is like any other social media or messaging app.
In Brazil, 167,000 people subscribe to a Telegram channel for news about reality shows and entertainment. More than 1 million users in India prepare for government exams in another channel. One called Whale with more than 3 million followers, crypto trading tips are swapped in Arabic.
Look deeper, and a dark underbelly emerges.
Uncut lumps of cocaine and shards of crystal meth are on sale. Handguns and stolen checks are widely available. White nationalists use the platform to coordinate fight clubs and plan rallies. Hamas broadcast its Oct. 7 attack on Israel on the site.
The degree to which Telegram has been inundated by such content has not been previously reported. Investigation found 1,500 channels operated by white supremacists who coordinate activities among almost 1 million people around the world.
1 yr. ago
