Leichtfried demands stricter rules for Telegram and transparent user verification by the EU Commission

In his statement, Leichtfried emphasized that closed groups must also be appropriately taken into account when assessing the service. „Die Europäische Kommission muss die tatsächlichen Nutzerinnen und Nutzer von Telegram transparent und unabhängig prüfen und sicherstellen, dass auch geschlossene Gruppen bei der Bewertung angemessen berücksichtigt werden“, said Leichtfried. The demand thus targets areas that have largely eluded oversight to date.

Closed groups in focus

The move is part of a broader European debate on the regulation of major messaging platforms. In several EU member states, calls for aligning the rules for messenger services with those for social networks are growing louder. The background is concern about the spread of illegal content, lack of cooperation with law enforcement authorities, and insufficient moderation.

Leichtfried takes the position that platform operators should in future be subject to clearer obligations. In his view, these include duties to provide information to authorities as well as a willingness to take action against content relevant under criminal law in closed groups. The EU Commission has a duty here to formulate uniform standards.

Background: Debate on messenger regulation

Specialist bodies such as Jugendschutz.net have long pointed out that messenger services are increasingly being used to disseminate content harmful to young people. From the perspective of such bodies, a transparent review of user numbers could form the basis for more effective protective measures.

The term Staatsschutz-Staatssekretär, which is mentioned repeatedly in connection with the debate, refers to a role responsible in Austria for coordinating security-related matters. Substantive details on this office were not elaborated further in the available sources. Leichtfried's demand is part of several initiatives aimed at stronger oversight of digital communications platforms.

Sources within the SPÖ said the party would continue to pursue the issue and examine parliamentary initiatives. The party sees the regulation of Telegram as an example of the need to underpin European digital policy with concrete measures. No timetable for concrete steps was given.

Legal dimension and possible consequences

The EU Commission has so far not commented substantively on the recent demands from Vienna. Observers view the move as part of the ongoing discourse on the Digital Services Act and its application to messenger services. The coming weeks will show whether the appeal finds a hearing in Brussels.

Legally, the demand moves in the tension between platform regulation, fundamental rights to freedom of expression and communication, and protection against abuse. Should the EU Commission actually formulate stricter requirements for Telegram, legal disputes by the operator would be expected, as have already been pursued in the context of other services.

The Austrian APA, which documented the move, classifies the matter under law. This highlights the regulatory dimension of the appeal. A final assessment of the chances of success is pending; it will be crucial whether the EU Commission treats the review of user numbers and closed groups as a binding prerequisite for future decisions.