Telegram blames extortionist after brief App Store removal

Abdullateef Fowewe

Telegram founder, Pavel Durov has said Apple briefly removed the messaging app from the App Store after an extortionist planted AI-modified illegal content in a public chat and then reported it to Apple.

Durov in a statement on Wednesday warned that the incident shows how coordinated takedown gangs are exploiting app-store reporting systems to pressure group owners for ransom.

Durov said the attacker “inserted AI-modified illegal content by editing an old message in an active group chat,” making it harder for members to see or report it.

He described the suspect as a “takedown extortionist” who uses automated accounts to plant illegal material in public groups and then flags it to Apple in an attempt to trigger removals.

According to Durov, Telegram’s moderation systems quickly remove illegal content from public groups, which is why the attacker had to use a technical workaround.

He also argued that Apple removed Telegram without first contacting the company, saying the episode creates a risk for any app that hosts user-generated content.