Indian court rejects appeal over ban on Telegram app

An Indian court rejected an appeal on March 18, 2024, to lift the ban on the Telegram messaging app. The government had previously ordered the ban, citing that channels on the platform were being used to sell leaked examination questions for undergraduate entrance exams. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology stated that the app's alleged involvement in facilitating the sale of leaked exam papers for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) was a significant concern. The court's decision upholds the government's stance, emphasizing the need to prevent the misuse of digital platforms for illegal activities that undermine educational integrity. This ruling follows a series of actions taken by Indian authorities to regulate social media and messaging applications deemed to be facilitating criminal or anti-social behavior. The government's focus on exam integrity highlights a broader effort to ensure fair competition in academic admissions.