Google has restored Telegram on the Play Store after a week-long government ban ended at midnight on June 22, allowing some existing users to resume access.
The app remains unavailable on Apple’s App Store for several hours.
The ban followed Telegram’s failure to curb NEET exam paper leaks and fraudulent activities, prompting strict conditions including disabling message editing until June 30.
Google Restores Telegram on Playstore, App Starts Functioning for Some Users
The platform was accessible to some existing users before Google restored it
Google Restores Telegram on Playstore LinkedIn
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Google restored instant messaging app Telegram on Tuesday morning as a temporary ban imposed by the government ended in the midnight of June 22.
The platform was accessible to some existing users before Google restored it.
The app continued to remain delisted on Apple's Appstore till around 10 am.
An emailed query sent to Apple did not elicit an immediate response in this regard.
The government had temporarily imposed a blanket ban on Telegram until June 22 and sources indicated that there is no change or extension of timelines in the order.
The government had ordered the ban on Telegram following its failure to prevent the circulation of fake examination papers of NEET, dissemination of misleading information and other fraudulent activities that impacted the examination process.
Before imposing the ban, government officials met Telegram representatives on June 3 where these concerns were flagged.
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Thereafter, the Centre decided to block the app and its associated web links, including the web version, till June 22.
Telegram has also been directed to block its message editing feature till June 30.
The NEET re-examination was conducted on June 21 and so far there has been no report of any fraudulent activity.
Telegram Founder and CEO Pavel Durov had criticised India's IT ministry for banning Telegram for one week because some users shared leaked exam questions. He alleged that Reliance, in which Meta has a partial stake, may have lobbied, along with its competitor WhatsApp, to impose the ban on the company's app in the country.