Telegram’s Algorithm Drives Extremist Content, New Study Alleges

A recent study by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has revealed that Telegram, a popular messaging platform, plays a significant role in promoting extremist content.

The findings, detailed in the report titled Telegram’s Toxic Recommendations, were shared exclusively with the BBC and have sparked fresh debate about the platform’s role in fostering radicalization.

The SPLC’s investigation focused on Telegram’s “similar channels” feature, which was introduced last year.

This algorithmic recommendation system, intended to help users discover related content, was found to consistently direct individuals toward extremist material—even when their initial searches were for benign topics such as technology or entertainment.

Radical Content Amplified by Algorithms

The study analyzed 28,000 Telegram channels, uncovering a disturbing pattern: the algorithm routinely pushes users toward radical ideologies.

Megan Squire, a researcher at the SPLC, highlighted a particularly alarming example. A simple search for “Donald Trump” led to recommendations for multiple channels promoting the QAnon conspiracy theory—a baseless claim alleging that Trump is fighting an elite group of Satan-worshipping pedophiles.

Similarly, searches for terms like “UK riots” surfaced far-right extremist content, including memes glorifying Adolf Hitler and links to violent extremist groups. According to Squire, this system doesn’t merely suggest extremist content; it actively facilitates a pathway to radicalization by exposing users to progressively more extreme material.

“Telegram’s algorithm is not just a passive tool; it’s a mechanism that accelerates radicalization by linking users to increasingly extremist channels,” Squire stated. She also noted that Telegram has become a hub for organizing real-world events, as demonstrated during the aftermath of the Southport knife attack in August, where the platform was used to spread misinformation and incite protests.

Telegram’s Response and Criticism

Telegram insists it takes harmful content seriously, claiming to remove millions of illegal materials daily.

The company has stated that its recommendations are based on user interests and that it does not intentionally inject or promote content.

Despite these assertions, critics argue that Telegram’s efforts are insufficient, leaving the platform vulnerable to exploitation by extremists.

Elies Campo, a former Telegram insider, shed light on the company’s internal stance, revealing that founder Pavel Durov has shown limited interest in addressing extremist content.

Campo described a lack of urgency within Telegram to strengthen moderation efforts, further fueling concerns about the platform’s accountability.

Broader Implications and Expert Insights

The study’s findings align with broader concerns about Telegram’s role in facilitating illegal activities.

Professor David Maimon from Georgia State University, who has extensively studied criminal activity on the platform, confirmed that Telegram has become a central hub for activities such as arms trafficking.

As criticism mounts, calls for regulatory oversight and accountability for Telegram are growing louder.

Advocacy groups and experts argue that without significant intervention, the platform’s algorithm will continue to serve as a tool for spreading extremism and fostering dangerous real-world outcomes.