• 𝒍𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒏@lemmy.one
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    11 months ago

    Not too sure what Google was trying to achieve here - nothing is stopping anyone from creating a new channel/group/whatever for the same purpose…

    The restrictions don’t apply if you downloaded Telegram from outside the Play Store either

    • zeroxxx@lemmy.my.id
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      11 months ago

      Telegram Android is moderated because Google has to adhere to countries’ demand. Else they get banned operating in that region.

      And 99% people if not 99.999999% Android users use Play Store.

      • Nath@aussie.zone
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        11 months ago

        And 99% people if not 99.999999% Android users use Play Store.

        This is true, but if I were interested in a channel and the government made Google block it, I would side-load Telegram and get around the block.

        So this is a token effort that won’t affect the people who actually want to see this content.

  • Nath@aussie.zone
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    11 months ago

    Pavel Durov:

    Every day, Telegram’s moderators and AI tools remove millions of obviously harmful content from our public platform. However, tackling war-related coverage is seldom obvious.

    Earlier this week, Hamas used Telegram to warn civilians in Ashkelon to leave the area ahead of their missile strikes. Would shutting down their channel help save lives — or would it endanger more lives?

    It’s always tempting to act on emotional impulses. But such complex situations require thorough consideration that should also take into account the differences between social platforms.

    Unlike other apps that algorithmically promote shocking content to unsuspecting people, on Telegram, users receive only the content to which they specifically subscribed. As such, it’s unlikely that Telegram channels can be used to significantly amplify propaganda. Instead, they serve as a unique source of first-hand information for researchers, journalists, and fact-checkers.

    While it would be easy for us to destroy this source of information, doing so risks exacerbating an already dire situation.

  • TheGrandNagus@lemmy.world
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    11 months ago

    Meh, not the first time they’ve blocked stuff when requested. Russia has asked them to remove stuff a handful of times and they’ve complied.

    • manuel19@lemmy.world
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      11 months ago

      They only comply when asked by google/apple because otherwise they risk getting banned on their stores.

      That’s why they advice you to, on android, download the app via the web. Because there, these companies have no say and the content is unrestricted.