3,100 Telegram channels, 800 websites disabled by govt for hosting pirated contents

More than 3,100 Telegram channels and about 800 websites hosting pirated content have been disabled at the government’s order, the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday (March 18, 2026).

Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan said the Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023, has strengthened the legal framework to deter film piracy with sections 6AA and 6AB, which prohibit unauthorised recording and transmission of films.

He said Section 7(1A) provides that if any person contravenes the two provisions, they shall be punishable with a minimum of three months’ imprisonment and a fine of ₹3 lakh, which can be extended up to three years imprisonment and a fine of up to 5% of the audited gross production cost.

In accordance with the provisions of law, the Telegram App was notified under Section 79(3)(b) of IT Act, 2000, on March 11, 2026 to remove and disable access to the 3,142 channels publishing content owned by or licensed to certain content owners, OTT platforms and producers without authorization in violation of the Copyright Act, 1957, Murugan said in reply to a written question.

The Minister said access to approximately 800 websites hosting pirated content was disabled through Internet Service Providers (ISPs).