The Information & Broadcasting Ministry on Saturday issued a notice to Telegram directing it to take immediate measures against channels that are circulating pirated film and OTT content.The Ministry has asked it to take platform-level anti-piracy action and submit an Action Taken Report within 15 days.Sources say this action has been taken to protect India’s creator economy, film industry, broadcasters, OTT platforms, producers, and distributors.The Ministry has notified to Telegram that its platform is being used for widespread dissemination of pirated films, OTT content and audio-visual content. Earlier the government has taken action under 3000 Telegram channels that were found to be disseminating pirated film and OTT content .However, the Ministry has now informed Telegram that it cannot wait for the government to identify each piracy channel one-by-one and must take proactive action.The platform has been asked to strengthen systems for detection, reporting, disabling access to and removal of pirated films and infringing audio-visual content. It has also been directed to act against repeat infringers, including channels, groups, bots, accounts, administrators and associated entities.The I&B Ministry has also emphasized that copyright infringement is not merely a civil violation, but a criminal offence in India under the Copyright Act, 1957 and Cinematograph Act, 1952.It has also said that continued availability of pirated content, evasive compliance or incomplete response may invite further examination and action under the applicable legal framework.The signals a clear shift from piecemeal takedown to platform accountability, sources said. Published on July 4, 2026