Apple temporarily removed the messaging platform Telegram from its App Store after determining that the app contained content violating its policies on child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Telegram was removed from the iPhone and iPad app stores late on Monday.
In a statement to US media outlets, Apple said an investigation had identified content on Telegram that breached the company’s rules prohibiting child sexual abuse material.
The company said Telegram was restored to the App Store after it promptly removed the offending content and blocked the user responsible for sharing it.
Responding to the incident on X, Telegram wrote: “Reports of my demise are greatly exaggerated.”
The development comes amid growing scrutiny of the platform. Russia added Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov to its list of terrorists and extremists on June 30, while Australia’s eSafety Commissioner has filed legal action against Telegram, alleging it failed to remove terrorism-related content from the platform.