Apple Pulled Telegram From the App Store, Then Put It Back

On Monday night, Apple temporarily removed Telegram from the App Store after a content review flagged material that violated its rules against child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The app was restored shortly after, and Telegram didn’t miss the chance to take a jab at Apple.

What Happened

Apple removed Telegram, one of the most popular messaging apps with hundreds of millions of users, from the App Store on Monday evening. According to MacRumors, the app was taken down after an App Store review found content that violated Apple’s CSAM guidelines. CSAM refers to images or videos that exploit minors, and Apple has strict policies that require apps to detect and eliminate such content.

The app was offline for a short time before Apple reinstated it. Users who already had Telegram installed on their iPhones weren’t affected — only new downloads were blocked during that period.

Telegram Fires Back

Instead of keeping quiet, Telegram publicly responded with a sharp comment aimed at Apple. Many described the messaging company’s response as snarky, framing Apple’s actions as overly aggressive while asserting that Telegram takes moderation seriously on its own terms.

This kind of public response from an app developer to Apple is pretty rare. Most companies typically handle App Store reviews quietly behind the scenes. Telegram’s choice to call out Apple publicly highlights the ongoing tension between major platform holders and the app developers who rely on their stores to reach iPhone users.

Why Apple Has This Power

Apple holds the key to installing apps on an iPhone. Think of it like a shopping mall where Apple controls every entrance. If Apple determines an app breaks its rules, it can remove that app from the store, cutting off access to about 1 billion iPhone users worldwide. Developers who want to reach iOS users have little choice but to follow Apple’s guidelines.

Apple’s CSAM policies mandate that apps hosting user-generated content — such as messages, images, and posts — must have systems to detect and report illegal material. Since Telegram allows users to create public channels and share files, it falls right into that category.

This Isn’t Telegram’s First Controversy

Telegram has had a complicated relationship with regulators and platforms for years. It markets itself on privacy and minimal moderation, attracting activists and journalists in restrictive countries, but also appealing to bad actors. In 2024, Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, was arrested in France during an investigation into whether the platform did enough to combat criminal activity. He was later released, but that incident brought Telegram’s moderation practices into the spotlight.

Monday’s removal from the App Store indicates that Apple is closely monitoring whether Telegram meets its content standards, even if the issue was resolved quickly, according to Mashable.

What This Means

For the average Telegram user on iPhone, the app’s removal likely went unnoticed — it stayed on your phone and continued working. But this incident serves as a reminder of how much control Apple has over which apps iPhone users can access and how quickly that access can vanish. If you depend on any app for communication, work, or daily tasks, just one guideline violation can lead to that app disappearing from the store, even if only temporarily.

This also shows that Apple is actively reviewing even well-established apps, not just obscure newcomers, for content policy violations. Platforms hosting user-generated content are under more scrutiny than ever.

Community Reaction

“Apple removes Telegram, Telegram calls Apple out publicly. Meanwhile I just want to message my friends without a corporation drama arc.”

— Reddit user, r/technology

“Honestly, Telegram’s response was kind of funny but also… maybe just fix the moderation problem first?”

— YouTube comment on Mashable’s coverage

What To Watch

• Will Apple take further action? The brief removal followed by reinstatement suggests Telegram addressed the specific content that triggered the review. But if Apple finds ongoing violations, a longer or permanent removal could happen.
• Telegram’s moderation commitments: Keep an eye out for any public statements from Telegram regarding changes in how it monitors CSAM on its platform. Regulatory pressure in Europe could force the company to act.
• EU’s impact on Apple’s control: Under Europe’s Digital Markets Act, which requires big tech platforms to allow more competition, Apple is being pushed to permit alternative app stores in the EU. If that happens, developers like Telegram would have more options for distributing their apps to iPhone users, reducing Apple’s leverage.