Telegram's role as a potential hazard for women's security is under scrutiny, as discussions regarding rape tactics and explicit image sharing have been identified on the platform.
On February 14, 2025, an investigation by The Guardian revealed a disturbing underground network of men using apps like Telegram to trade explicit images of local women without their consent. Although surprising, this revelation aligns with Telegram's growing reputation as a platform facilitating cybercrime activities, including the sharing of advice on how to rape and sexually assault women, as uncovered in December 2024.
The Threat of Telegram to Women's Safety
Telegram is a cloud-based messaging service that allows users to operate anonymously and hide their phone numbers, similar to WhatsApp. However, its lax approach to cooperating with authorities has made it a breeding ground for illegal activities, such as malware distribution, hacktivism, and selling stolen credentials.
In August 2024, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov was arrested for allegedly enabling such illicit activities on the platform. Since then, the company has pledged to address its issues by policing user-generated content and implementing stronger content moderation and security checks.
Yet, recent events suggest a continued threat to women's safety on the platform.
The Infamous 'Are We Dating the Same Girl?' Chat
On Telegram, an infamous chat titled 'Are We Dating the Same Girl?' is notorious for leaking non-consensual intimate images of women, including minors. Some reports indicate that participants share as many as 70,000 members, posting explicit content of girls as young as 13.
This chat, along with other similar groups, features men confessing to assaulting women, including family members, and sharing instructions on how to do so.
Concerning Cases and Lack of Accountability
One such case, reminiscent of the Gisèle Pelicot case, involved a German man offering his wife for sexual services after drugging her. Despite such horror and degradation, the platform has continued to host such content, with users sharing tips on how to sedate partners and purchase sedatives disguised as hair products.
Contacted for comment, Telegram insisted it takes immediate action against such groups. However, given its past failures in addressing illegal activities, many question its commitment to rooting out these threats.
In this critical juncture, escalating threats to women's safety are becoming increasingly apparent as abusers exploit platforms like Telegram to organize and perpetrate abusive behavior. It is crucial for authorities to intervene, ensuring that platforms like Telegram comply with regulations and submit to regular safety checks and inquiries to deter the online abuse of women.
- Disturbing cases of sexual assault and explicit content sharing continue to surface on the platform, with a notorious chat named 'Are We Dating the Same Girl?' on Telegram sharing intimate images of thousands of women, including minors.
- The lax approach to content moderation on Telegram has facilitated a growing health-and-wellness concern, specifically affecting women's sexual health and overall safety.
- As the scandal surrounding Telegram's failure to address illicit activities persists, general-news outlets detail how the crime-and-justice landscape is shifting to incorporate the use of Telegram as a means for perpetrating crimes against women.
