It has also restricted two of Hamas' official channels on Android and iOS devices.
Restrictions, not bans — but rare for Telegram nonethelessTelegram, which is known for its message encryption and lax moderation, restricted two official Hamas channels on Android devices earlier this month.
The impact of banning Telegram channels remains to be seenAs for Hamas, Telegram has been under pressure for weeks to cut the militant group from its services.
Before the restrictions, Hamas' official Telegram channels saw a three-fold jump in followers after the attacks, the Digital Forensic Research Lab reported.
Notably, Hamas channels are not the only ones spreading content related to the October 7 attacks, and some of those channels are still available on the platform.
Persons:
—, Pavel Durov, Durov, it's, It's, Abu Obaida
Organizations:
Service, Telegram, Google, Jerusalem Post, Meta, Hong, Kremlin, Makhachkala International Airport, Morning, Apple, Middle East Media Research Institute, Capitol, Forensic Research, Wired, Digital Forensic Research Lab, Human Rights, Hamas, Brigades, DFRLab, CNBC, Washington Post, Palestinian Health Authority
Locations:
Israel, Ashkelon, Jerusalem, Hong Kong, Gaza, Russia, Dagestan, Tel Aviv, Makhachkala, Morning Dagestan