The regulator said it had reviewed evidence and decided to examine whether Telegram has failed, or is failing, to meet its legal duties on illegal content under the Online Safety Act 2023.

The case adds to complaints on online platforms operating in the United Kingdom, where authorities want stronger protection for children from harm online.

Ofcom said the law requires platforms to reduce risks linked to illegal material and act where such content appears. It added that companies must be able to show they are meeting those duties.

Telegram rejected the allegations.

The company said it “categorically” denied Ofcom’s accusations. It added that since 2018 it had “virtually eliminated” the public spread of child sexual abuse material through detection algorithms.

Telegram also said, “We are surprised by this investigation and concerned that it may be part of a broader attack on online platforms that defend freedom of speech and the right to privacy.”

The regulator also opened separate investigations into Teen Chat and Chat Avenue. It said it was unconvinced that both platforms were doing enough to protect children from grooming risks.

Suzanne Cater, Ofcom’s director of Enforcement, said, “These firms must do more to protect children, or face serious consequences under the Online Safety Act.”

The inquiry comes as Keir Starmer’s government pushes for tighter online safeguards, especially for younger users.

Telegram has faced similar cases elsewhere. In February, Australia’s online safety regulator fined the company after delays in answering questions about measures against child abuse and violent extremist material.

The UK law is considered one of the strictest internet safety frameworks in the world. It places direct responsibility on platforms to tackle illegal and harmful content or risk enforcement action.

The company said the new accounts will limit pre-teens to basic messaging and calling features. They will not receive adverts and will not have access to several functions available on standard accounts.

WhatsApp rates its service for users aged 13 and above on app stores. However, many younger children already use the app to stay in touch with their parents and family members.

The company said the new system was created after hearing from parents who wanted a safer way for their children to communicate on the platform.

“We’ve heard from parents, who have bought mobile phones for their pre-teens, that they want to message them on WhatsApp. Parent-managed accounts are specifically designed to give additional control over settings and communications for this group,” the company said.

To set up the account, a parent or guardian must have both devices present, their own phone and the child’s phone. The accounts are linked by scanning a QR code during the setup process.

Once connected, the parent controls the account. They can decide who the child can communicate with and which groups the account may join.

Parents will also receive alerts about certain activities. By default, they are notified when the child adds, blocks or reports a contact.

Other alerts are optional and these include when the child changes their name or profile picture, receives a new chat request, joins or leaves a group, or deletes a conversation or contact.

All parental management is protected by a six-digit PIN, which the parent can create and manage from their own device.

WhatsApp said the parent-managed accounts will not support several features currently available on the platform. Pre-teen users will not be able to access Meta AI, Channels or Status updates. They also cannot enable disappearing messages in one-to-one chats.

Despite the restrictions, the company said all conversations will remain private.

“All personal conversations remain private and protected with end-to-end encryption, meaning no one, not even WhatsApp, can see or hear them.”

The app will also provide warnings when children receive messages from people outside their contacts. These notices show whether the sender shares any groups with the user and which country the contact is messaging from.

In addition, images sent by unknown contacts will appear blurred by default. Users can also silence calls from unfamiliar numbers.

Message requests from people outside the child’s contact list will appear in a separate folder. Parents must unlock that folder with their PIN before deciding whether to approve the request.

The same rule applies to group invitations. Before allowing a child to join, the app shows details such as the number of group members and the group administrator.

WhatsApp said children will be notified when they reach the age required for a standard account. Parents will also have the option to delay the switch by up to 12 months.

The company has begun rolling out the feature in selected countries and plans to expand it gradually.

The update adds to safety tools introduced by Meta across its platforms in recent years, particularly for younger users on services such as Instagram and Facebook.

The app, available from today, allows users to read complete messages, receive call notifications, and even send voice messages straight from their wrist.

The Meta-owned platform said this was driven by long-standing user requests. “This new experience will help you stay on top of your chats without needing to pull out your iPhone,” WhatsApp wrote in its announcement, adding that the app “will now support many requested features.”

For the first time, WhatsApp users can view full message threads directly on their watch instead of just previews. They can also record and send voice messages, react to incoming messages with emojis, and view clearer images and stickers on the display. 

The app also expands chat history visibility, allowing users to scroll through previous messages more easily.

All personal conversations and calls remain protected with WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption. The company reaffirmed its focus on privacy, saying the new app “maintains the same level of security users expect across all devices.”

The Apple Watch version is compatible with Series 4 or later models running watchOS 10 or newer. Users who have automatic downloads enabled will find the app installed automatically once linked with their iPhone, though a manual installation through the Watch app is also available.

The rollout follows WhatsApp’s focus on cross-device functionality. In May, the company released its long-awaited iPad app, offering group calls for up to 32 people, screen sharing, and multi-camera use.

WhatsApp confirmed that more features will be added to the Apple Watch app in upcoming updates. “We look forward to delivering even more useful functionality for people with Apple Watch in the future,” the company said.

With this release, WhatsApp joins Snapchat and Telegram in expanding messaging access to wearables. However, unlike its competitors, WhatsApp now provides full chat access, message reactions, and clearer media previews, giving it a noticeable edge on Apple’s smartwatch platform.

In an era where your digital life’s worth is almost equivalent to your social media following, there’s an older man in the corner that nobody’s paying much attention to – email.

It’s the guy who’s been at the party since it started but now seems a little out of place next to the cool kids on the block, WhatsApp and Telegram.

The Cool Kids: Messaging Apps

You’re at a family dinner, and your phone pings. It’s a WhatsApp message from your gym announcing a discount. Convenient, right?

Messaging apps have become the convenience stores of communication – quick, accessible, and right around the corner.

They’re nimble; they’re quick; they get the job done. You can almost hear email coughing in the background, saying, “I used to be the star player here.”

But What About Email?

However, dismissing email is like ignoring the wisdom of your grandparents while tuning in to the latest reality show. Yes, the latter is entertaining, but the former has depth, resilience, and character. According to Statista, email usage still trumps WhatsApp by nearly double.

It said that in 2022, the number of global email users amounted to 4.26 billion and will grow to 4.73 billion in 2026. Email is the vintage wine; it just gets better with age.

Case Study: Fashion Retail

Let’s take a look at the fashion retail industry. Brands often use WhatsApp or SMS for flash sales or quick announcements. However, email is king when it comes to detailed seasonal catalogues or loyalty programs.

Why?

Because an email allows for more content and it’s not intrusive. Moreover, businesses often find it easier to navigate the regulatory and compliance aspects of email marketing.

Leadership Meeting on WhatsApp?

Picture this: Your boss shifts your department’s bi-weekly leadership meeting discussions to WhatsApp. The finance guy sends Excel sheets, and the digital marketing lead responds with emojis.

The brand management lead uses this as an opportunity to share his collection of cat GIFs. Nightmare, right? There are spaces where messaging apps fall flat, and that’s where the robustness of email shines.

The True Value of Email

Let’s get sentimental for a moment. Remember the anticipation you felt when waiting for that college acceptance email? How about the joy of seeing a job offer appear in your inbox?

Emails carry an emotional weight that a messaging app can’t emulate. It’s the ‘sealed with a kiss’ of digital communication.

Not going away soon

In a nutshell, email marketing isn’t going away just because messaging apps are multiplying like rabbits. If anything, they’re like the odd couple who bicker but can’t do without each other.

Messaging apps are the espresso shots—quick, potent, and effective. On the other hand, emails are like a family dinner—thoughtful, abundant, and deep.

In the end, a balanced diet needs both the quick energy of sugar and the sustained release of complex carbs. Similarly, a well-rounded communication strategy needs both email and messaging apps.

One is not better than the other; they’re just different. And like any odd couple, they’re most effective when combined.

[Featured Image Credit]