The popular messaging service Telegram was the subject of a precautionary suspension in Spain. The provision was adopted byNational audiencethe Spanish High Court, in response to accusations made by broadcasters and television producers, among them Antena 3, EGEDA, Mediaset e Movistar. These argue that Telegram has allowed the publication of content owned by them, protected by copyrightwithout the necessary authorizations.
Telegram suspended in Spain: historic decision by the Iberian High Court
The app blocking affected approximately 8.5 million users, corresponding to the Telegram user base in the Iberian Peninsula. Part of a global community of more than 900 million individuals, who use the app every day around the world. This decision, made by the judge Santiago Pedrazrepresents a unique precedent in the European panorama and is generating conflicting opinions among the population.
For example FACUA-Consumers in Action – Spanish consumer association – highlights the potential damage for “millions of users, companies, organizations and public and private institutions” who use the messaging service daily (and without illicit purposes).
It's as if they shut down the Internet because there are sites that illegally host content protected by copyright, as if they cut off the entire television signal because there are channels that practice piracy
Rubén Sánchez, general secretary of FACUA
The app block, for now, is only temporary
Il Telegram block in Spain will remain in force until the investigation is completed. According to Reuters, the responsibility for implementing the blocking of Telegram services falls on mobile phone service providers. Despite thatit appears that the platform continues to operate, in defiance of the court's order to immediately take down the application.
Meanwhile, the lawyer Joseph Joverparty representative Pirates of Catalonia (never a more apt name), has appealed to the Court of Justice of the European Union to request the suspension of the blockade.
