Germany slaps Telegram with $5 million fine

Germany announced Monday that it is issuing fines of 5.1 million euros ($5 million) against the operators of the messaging app Telegram for failing to comply with German law.

Report informs, citing foreign media, that the Federal Office of Justice said Telegram FZ-LLC hasn't established a lawful way for reporting illegal content or named an entity in Germany to receive official communication. Both are required under German laws that regulate large online platforms.

NetzDG regulates the process for handling complaints from social media users. In particular, it provides for the need to create a mechanism for considering applications from their side and obliges the provider to have a representative in Germany who would be authorized to receive and hand over the documentation.