New Delhi, June 23: Google restored the Telegram messaging app on the Google Play Store on Tuesday after the temporary government ban ended at midnight on June 22. The app also became accessible to many existing users before it was relisted on the Play Store.
However, Telegram remained unavailable on Apple’s App Store until around 10 a.m., with Apple yet to issue an official response regarding the delay.
The Centre had imposed a temporary nationwide ban on Telegram over concerns that the platform was being used to circulate leaked NEET examination papers, spread misinformation, and facilitate other fraudulent activities that disrupted the examination process.
Before the ban, government officials held discussions with Telegram representatives on June 3, raising concerns over the platform’s failure to curb such activities. Following the meeting, the government blocked Telegram and its web services until June 22.
Although the app has now been restored, Telegram has been directed to keep its message editing feature disabled until June 30.
The NEET re-examination was successfully conducted on June 21, with no reports of paper leaks or major fraudulent incidents.
Meanwhile, Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov criticised the Indian government’s decision to temporarily ban the platform, arguing that the action penalised millions of users for the actions of a few. He also alleged that competitors may have influenced the decision, though no official evidence has been presented to support the claim.
