Why Was Telegram Removed From the App Store?

Telegram was briefly removed from Apple’s App Store on August 3, 2026 after Apple’s review flagged CSAM in a public chat; Apple restored the app once Telegram removed the content and banned the user. The report situates this event within a broader security context: Telegram is widely used by cybercriminals (ransomware crews, data brokers), the founder alleges a novel ‘takedown extortionist’ technique leveraging edited messages and AI-modified content, and the company faces simultaneous legal actions from Russian and Australian authorities.