Telegram's channel and supergroup infrastructure has become a primary distribution network for non-consensual intimate imagery including deepfakes. 'Bot' accounts on Telegram have automated deepfake generation into a service model. Despite Telegram's privacy positioning, public Telegram channels accessible to US users are available for discovery, and Telegram's response to formal inquiries has improved significantly since 2025.

Deepfake bot services on Telegram

Several Telegram bots have automated deepfake generation: a user sends a photograph and receives an AI-generated intimate image within seconds. These services have been targeted by enforcement actions since the introduction of recent regulations, but new services continuously emerge. The existence of a generation bot does not create a separate right against the bot itself, the obligation attaches to hosting platforms that distribute the output.

Public vs private Telegram channels

Public Telegram channels, accessible without joining, are available for discovery. Private channels and encrypted DMs are not accessible to ScanErase's scan and require a different approach (court orders for law enforcement access). ScanErase targets all publicly accessible Telegram channel content.

Monitoring after content is removed

When Telegram removes a channel or message, the content may have already been archived or re-shared in other channels. ScanErase monitors for re-distribution to help users find where their faces appear across platforms.

Frequently asked questions

Can Telegram claim it is just a messaging service and not responsible for content?

Telegram operates public channels with hundreds of thousands of subscribers, these function as broadcast media, not private messaging. Public Telegram channel content is subject to discovery obligations regardless of Telegram's characterization of its service.

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