The government has temporarily banned Telegram following a recommendation from the National Testing Agency (NTA), which claimed that fraudsters were using the platform to sell fake NEET question papers and spread misinformation ahead of the June 21 re-test.
Several Telegram channels were allegedly advertising leaked exam papers and demanding large sums of money from students. Despite attempts to remove such channels and groups, the issue reportedly persisted, prompting authorities to restrict access to the app.
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The move has raised questions about why WhatsApp has not faced similar action.
One major difference is Telegram’s design. Unlike WhatsApp, Telegram allows users to hide their phone numbers and operate through usernames, making it easier to remain anonymous. The platform also enables the creation of channels with unlimited subscribers, allowing administrators to reach massive audiences while concealing their identities.
Telegram’s file-sharing capabilities are another concern. Users can share files up to 2GB without compression, making it easier to circulate documents, including alleged leaked exam papers. The platform’s message-editing feature has also come under scrutiny, as authorities claim some channel administrators edited older posts and attached PDFs to create the impression that they had predicted paper leaks in advance.
WhatsApp, on the other hand, limits message editing and does not allow files to be added to edited messages.
Authorities also believe WhatsApp is generally more responsive to government requests and has stronger moderation systems. Meta uses AI-based tools to monitor behaviour patterns and identify suspicious activities in public spaces, even though private messages remain encrypted.
While Telegram has increased moderation efforts in recent years, officials argue that its anonymity-focused structure makes it more attractive for fraudsters and scam operators.
