The Centre explained in the Delhi High Court why Telegram was temporarily banned ahead of the NEET re-examination. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that Telegram's bot architecture makes it uniquely susceptible to large-scale information dissemination.
A single Telegram user can create up to 40 bots, which can form extensive automated networks, LiveLaw reported. The government report stated that Telegram's bot infrastructure allows information to be disseminated in bulk, enabling the creation of sophisticated networks with minimal human oversight.
Mehta also submitted that Telegram operates through a cloud-based system, making it difficult for law enforcement agencies to identify the actual users behind unlawful activities.
The SG referred to a government report that described Telegram as a preferred platform for terrorist activities due to certain features embedded in its architecture.
Mehta clarified that the government was not alleging non-compliance by Telegram, but rather that the platform's measures were ineffective in addressing the concerns raised by authorities.
The SG also flagged Telegram's message-editing feature, claiming that it lacks a visible timestamp indicating when edits were made. He explained that a user could upload examination papers and alter the date and time to make it appear as though they had been posted earlier.
