A shocking investigation has revealed group chats on Telegram involving more than 70,000 men from around the world, where participants shared explicit advice and resources about disabling, raping and otherwise abusing women. The findings sparked widespread outrage and calls for stricter regulation of online platforms.
The investigation reveals disturbing practices
The investigation, conducted by Germany’s largest public broadcaster ARD, revealed the existence of multiple groups on Telegram where members shared photos and live videos of assaults and provided detailed instructions for carrying out such crimes.
Participants, who communicated primarily in English, discussed ways to target women within their families, including wives, girlfriends, mothers, and sisters.
According to telegraphMembers even provided links to online stores that sell painkillers disguised as everyday products, such as hair care products, to facilitate their attacks. One participant reportedly bragged about drugging his wife and proposing to other men.
Telegram’s alarming history
Telegram, founded by Russian tech billionaire Pavel Durov in 2013, has come under intense scrutiny for its failure to regulate content linked to criminal activities.
With over 950 million users, the messaging app has gained popularity due to its strong encryption and refusal to share user data with government agencies.
However, this situation has also made it a haven for illicit activities, including drug trafficking, sexual exploitation of children and, as this investigation highlights, enabling sexual violence.
Despite claims of having a zero-tolerance policy towards illegal content, Telegram has faced criticism for its inaction.
according to Reutersthe platform has repeatedly refused to join initiatives such as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), which work to identify and remove harmful content.
She also refused to participate in programs aimed at combating revenge pornography.
Controversial Telegram founder, Pavel Durov, was arrested in France in August 2024 on charges of enabling criminal activity through inadequate moderation of the platform.
Although released on bail of £4.1 million (€5 million), Durov remains under house arrest awaiting trial.
The reality of sexual violence against women
The findings of this investigation are consistent with broader patterns of abuse. According to Cambridge Rape Crisis CentreOne in four women aged between 16 and 74 in England and Wales have experienced sexual violence at least once.
In the year to March 2022, an estimated 798,000 women in the UK were victims of rape, a grim reminder of the pervasive nature of the issue.
Women are disproportionately at risk from the people closest to them. Studies indicate that they are 46% more likely to be raped by intimate partners than other acquaintances.
The scale of violations underscores the urgent need to take comprehensive measures to address the root causes of violence and support victims.
A global call to action
The exposure of these Telegram groups highlights the urgent need for international cooperation to regulate online platforms and prevent their abuse.
The UK Online Safety Act 2023, which holds social media platforms responsible for protecting users from illegal content, is a step in the right direction. However, in the absence of consistent global implementation, such initiatives are vulnerable to failure.
The use of encrypted messaging apps to facilitate crimes like those uncovered in this investigation points to a broader challenge in balancing privacy and public safety.
As governments and organizations grapple with these complexities, the need for strong, implementable policies becomes clearer than ever.