Telegram is fighting back. The encrypted messaging app has filed a legal challenge against India’s decision to ban the platform over allegations that its service was used to leak exam papers. Sources close to the case confirm that Telegram’s lawyers are arguing that the ban violates the country’s own laws on intermediary liability and free expression. The move comes as the UK government has quietly thrown its weight behind encryption protections, warning that any crackdown on secure communications would be a gift to authoritarian regimes.
India’s government ordered internet service providers to block Telegram earlier this week after the National Testing Agency claimed that question papers for a major engineering entrance exam were circulated on the platform. But Telegram insists it was not properly notified of the takedown request. The company’s legal filing, uncovered by this newsroom, states that the block order was issued without a court hearing and that the government failed to provide a list of the offending channels. “This is a blanket ban that sweeps up millions of legitimate users,” the filing reads.
The case has drawn international attention. In a leaked diplomatic cable, the UK’s Foreign Office has advised its embassy in New Delhi to push back against India’s actions. The cable, obtained from a source with direct knowledge, says that the UK “recognises the importance of encryption for protecting journalists, activists, and businesses” and urges a targeted approach rather than wholesale blocking. This puts the UK at odds with other Western allies who have been less vocal.
Behind the scenes, the real battle is about something bigger than exam leaks. Telegram’s challenge threatens to poke a hole in India’s growing digital surveillance apparatus. The government has been tightening control over the internet, forcing platforms to trace the origin of messages – a move that effectively breaks encryption. Telegram has refused to comply, citing privacy concerns. The company’s defiance has made it a target.
But the UK’s stance is not purely altruistic. London is worried about the precedent setting for its own Online Safety Bill, which has been criticised for potentially weakening encryption. By backing Telegram, the UK is signalling to tech companies that it will not join the rush to crush secure communications. A senior Whitehall official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “We cannot criticise China for its firewall while endorsing the same tactics for our allies.”
For now, Telegram remains blocked in India. But the legal fight is just beginning. If the courts side with Telegram, it could force the government to either prove specific harms or face a major setback in its push for digital surveillance. Either way, the outcome of this case will be watched closely from Delhi to London and beyond. The documents tell a story of a platform that won’t be silenced – and a government that may have overplayed its hand.
