When news broke about a car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort, it sounded like yet another isolated act of violence. But as investigators dug deeper, they uncovered a disturbing digital trail, one that led not to a dark alley or secret base, but to a popular messaging app used by millions worldwide.

Telegram, long celebrated for championing privacy and free speech, has quietly become a space where radicals, criminals, and extremists can operate almost unchecked.

The story of Dr Umar Mohammad, the doctor suspected to be behind the Delhi blast, offers a stark reminder of how easily the lines between privacy, freedom, and security can blur in today’s digital world.

What Happened in Delhi?

The recent car blast near Delhi’s Red Fort has revealed a chilling connection between technology and terrorism. Investigators allege that Dr Umar Mohammad, the suspected suicide attacker, was part of an organised network of radicalised doctors who used Telegram to plan and communicate.

According to Delhi Police sources, Umar had links to the Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). He reportedly triggered the explosion after “panicking” when two of his close associates, also doctors and alleged key members of the JeM terror module, were arrested in the days leading up to the incident.

What makes Telegram so popular?

For millions of people across the globe, Telegram is simply a secure, easy-to-use messaging platform. Created in 2013 by Russian-born billionaire Pavel Durov and his brother Nikolai Durov, the app quickly gained popularity for its clean interface, privacy tools, and the ability to host large public channels.

Telegram has often been described as the digital home of dissent. It’s been used by activists, political leaders, and ordinary citizens to share information and rally support during times of crisis.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky used it to inspire his people during the Russian invasion. In Hong Kong, protesters relied on Telegram to organise demonstrations against a restrictive law, while in Belarus, pro-democracy campaigners used it to challenge alleged election fraud.

How did it become a hub for extremists?

While Telegram’s open nature has made it a lifeline for freedom movements, it has also made it a breeding ground for extremists. The app’s light moderation and encryption features allow radicals to spread propaganda, recruit new members, and even coordinate attacks under the radar.

Groups like the Islamic State (ISIS), al-Qaeda, Hamas, and Hezbollah have turned to Telegram for fundraising, recruitment, and planning.

When concerns about this first emerged at a TechCrunch conference in 2015, Pavel Durov stood firm, saying, “The right for privacy is more important than our fear of bad things happening, like terrorism.”

But only two months later, ISIS launched France’s deadliest terrorist attack, killing 130 people and injuring 350 others in Paris. French investigators later confirmed that the attackers had partly used Telegram and WhatsApp to coordinate the assault.

Has Telegram tried to tackle extremism?

After global outrage over the Paris attacks, Telegram shifted its stance and promised to remove ISIS-related accounts, bots, and chats from public channels.

Yet, extremist propaganda hasn’t vanished completely. A 2024 report by the Counter Extremism Project (CEP) found that while ISIS material still circulates on Telegram, its presence is now smaller and less consistent.

The New York Times, however, uncovered a more troubling picture. In a major investigation, the paper analysed over 3.2 million messages from more than 16,000 Telegram channels. It found that Telegram had quietly become a refuge for illegal and extremist activities, with little oversight or accountability.

The study revealed that about 1,500 white supremacist channels were operating freely, linking nearly one million people worldwide. At least two dozen channels were selling firearms, while 22 others openly advertised the delivery of drugs including MDMA, cocaine, and heroin to users in over 20 countries.

Why can’t Telegram keep criminals in check?

Telegram’s privacy policy makes it difficult for authorities to track criminal behaviour. Axel Neff, one of Telegram’s co-founders, explained that the company’s team is small with about 60 employees, half of whom are engineers, which limits their ability to monitor activity on the app.

He told Frontline in 2024, “If Telegram receives a court order that confirms you’re a terror suspect, we may disclose your IP address and phone number to the relevant authorities. So far, this has never happened.”

That same year, Pavel Durov told Fox News that Telegram routinely rejects government data requests that conflict with its commitment to freedom of speech and user privacy. He even admitted that Telegram refused to cooperate with the US congressional committee investigating the Capitol riots of January 6, 2021.

What does Telegram say in its defence?

A Telegram spokesperson told Frontline that the company holds very limited information about users, and in most cases, even Telegram cannot access it.

“Police, governments and users are able to report content to Telegram they believe is illegal,” the spokesperson said. “Telegram processes these reports according to its terms of service.”

The company maintains that it is committed to protecting user privacy while taking down illegal material when reported. But critics argue that its commitment to anonymity has turned it into a safe haven for criminal activity, from terrorism and drug trafficking to child exploitation and misinformation.

The privacy vs security dilemma

Telegram’s journey captures a defining dilemma of the modern digital age; the struggle to balance privacy with public safety.

On one hand, it has been a powerful tool for democracy, helping citizens speak up in oppressive regimes. On the other, it has enabled extremists and criminals to operate beyond the reach of the law.