Discover how Telegram has become a crucial platform for Palestinian resistance, facing content restrictions from Apple and Google, and what it means for the future of digital communication in conflict zones.
Telegram has emerged as a vital communication tool for users in the Middle East, particularly during the ongoing “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation and the subsequent Israeli aggression in Gaza. Its popularity stems from its user-friendly interface and the ability to share large files and information swiftly.
Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, announced on his public channel that hundreds of thousands from Israel and Palestinian territories are registering on Telegram, highlighting the app’s support for Hebrew and Arabic. Durov emphasized the importance of reliable access to news and communication for those affected by the war.
Telegram: The Preferred Platform for Hamas
According to Omar Benjakob, a cybersecurity correspondent for Haaretz, an increase in Telegram activity has traditionally coincided with the onset of resistance attacks in Israel. This pattern was significantly amplified during the recent “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation. Observers note that Telegram’s relatively lax content moderation has facilitated the rapid dissemination of content to millions, with a vast network of public channels and groups.
Hamas has utilized Telegram to broadcast its content and news. During the October 7th attack, which marked the beginning of the “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation, Hamas showcased updates and videos across its seven Telegram channels.
Why Telegram?
Hamas finds Telegram particularly suitable for broadcasting its news and videos due to the platform’s content moderation policies, which are less stringent than those of other platforms. Telegram channels can host an unlimited number of subscribers, and private groups can have up to 200,000 members, far exceeding WhatsApp’s limit of 1,024 members.
Telegram also boasts integrated tools for sharing content across other platforms, including the ability to upload files up to 2GB, a feature particularly useful for video files. This capability has made Telegram a bridge for content between social networks.
The app’s features have helped Hamas attract users from Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to its Telegram channels to view developments from their perspective. The following for Hamas’s Telegram channels surged in the first five days of the “Al-Aqsa Flood,” with the “Al-Qassam Brigades” channel tripling its subscribers from 205,000 to about 620,000 and a tenfold increase in post views.
However, after Google and Apple requested the removal of Hamas-related content, the subscriber count for the “Al-Qassam Brigades” channel dropped to approximately 670,000 from nearly 800,000.
Telegram: Restriction That Cuts Off the Air Supply
Under significant external pressure, Telegram has banned several channels associated with Hamas, following claims that they violated the terms of service of the Apple and Google app stores. While most other major social networks have banned accounts linked to Hamas, Telegram remained a central platform for the movement due to its approach to social media content freedom.
Apple pressured Telegram to remove channels from its devices, and subsequently, Telegram banned four of the movement’s channels on Apple devices, including the “Al-Qassam Brigades” channel with over 700,000 subscribers.
Google’s spokesperson did not confirm whether they had requested the removal of Hamas channels but referred to the company’s app store policies against content promoting violence or terrorism. Violations could lead to the app’s removal from Google Play and the App Store, making it impossible for new users to download the app legitimately and gradually disabling service functions for Telegram’s over 800 million active monthly users.
This development underscores the ongoing challenges and debates surrounding freedom of expression, censorship, and the role of tech companies in conflict situations. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the balance between security and free speech remains a contentious global issue.
