Telegram takes copyright complaints about public channels and groups by email, and it says it won't act on anything in private chats or private groups. That one split decides most of what you can do there. Here's what Telegram's own pages say, and where they go quiet.
First: public or private?
Telegram's FAQ says: "Private groups and chats on Telegram are private amongst their participants. We do not process any requests related to them." What it does handle is its public platform: public channels, public groups, sticker sets and other parts of the app anyone can open.
If the copy is in a public channel or public group, you can report it. If it's only in a private chat or private group, Telegram says it doesn't process requests about it.
How to send a copyright complaint
Telegram's FAQ tells copyright owners to email complaints about infringing content on its public platform to dmca@telegram.org. It adds that "such requests should only be submitted by the copyright owner or an agent authorized to act on the owner's behalf."
Telegram's pages don't list what the complaint has to contain. A standard DMCA notice covers what any site needs to act, so our free notice template is a sensible starting point. For Telegram, add the links. In its general takedown advice, Telegram asks you to "include links (like t.me/... or @...) to the content on Telegram which you think needs attention from our moderators."
Reporting inside the app
Telegram's FAQ says all its apps "have 'Report' buttons that let you flag illegal content for our moderators." Here's where it is:
- Android: tap the message and select Report.
- iPhone: press and hold the message.
- Desktop, Web or macOS: right-click the message and select Report.
Then choose a reason. Telegram's Safety page adds that you can "provide a comment if needed." Telegram's FAQ also lists abuse@telegram.org as an email address for takedown requests.
Two other routes on Telegram
- Intimate images shared without your consent. Telegram's FAQ has a separate reporting route under the U.S. TAKE IT DOWN Act, run through a dedicated in-app account that its FAQ names. It says you "or your representative" can use it for "a non-consensual intimate image or video concerning yourself." This isn't a copyright complaint. Our TAKE IT DOWN Act guide explains the law.
- Someone pretending to be you. The FAQ says: "If a scammer is pretending to be you, contact @NoToScam."
What Telegram says it does with reports
Telegram's FAQ says: "Whenever we receive a report regarding potentially illegal public content, we perform the necessary legal checks and take it down when deemed appropriate." The Telegram pages we read don't describe a counter-notice process, don't say what Telegram shares with the person who posted, and don't give any timing.
Before you send
Only send a copyright complaint for work you own or are authorized to act for, which is Telegram's own rule. If someone else shot the photo or video, check who owns it first. Our takedown guide explains ownership and why a false notice carries legal risk.
What it costs to do it yourself
Nothing that Telegram mentions. Reporting in the app and emailing dmca@telegram.org are things you can do on your own, and none of the Telegram pages we read mention a fee. Copies from public channels often get shared on to other sites as well. Our guides to looking for other copies of your work and getting copies delisted from Google cover those.
What nobody can promise
Nobody can promise Telegram will act. Telegram says it doesn't process requests about private chats and groups, and for public content it takes things down "when deemed appropriate." Its pages give no timeline. Each new copy needs its own report.
Quick answers
Can Telegram remove something from a private group?
Telegram says it won't process requests about private groups and chats: "We do not process any requests related to them."
Where do I send a copyright complaint about a public channel?
Telegram's FAQ points copyright owners to dmca@telegram.org, and asks you to include the t.me or @ links to the content.
Where LeakVoid fits
The hard part on Telegram is volume: one channel can repost the same set many times. You send us the public links. We prepare your notices. You review and sign each one, and we send them. We email your signed notices to dmca@telegram.org, and your dashboard shows each notice's status. We only work from links you send us, and we can't reach private chats or private groups. We don't give legal advice, and we can't promise Telegram will take anything down.
The LeakVoid plan, $17.99 a month, plus any sales tax that applies where you live. Available in the US only.
Send us your first links or see how it works.
Free DMCA notice generator (you send it yourself)
Not sure yet? Email one link to hello@leakvoid.com. We'll reply with how that site takes notices: by email, only through its own web form (we prepare a packet), or through no public channel we could find.
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Sources
All checked Wed 2026-10-28.
- 1. Telegram, "Telegram FAQ" (copyright, illegal content, TAKE IT DOWN Act, third-party takedown answers): https://telegram.org/faq
- 2. Telegram, "Telegram Safety Overview" (how to report content): https://telegram.org/safety
How this page is made
This guide's facts were checked against the sources listed above as of the "Last reviewed" date at the top of the page, and those sources may have changed since. This is a check against sources, not a legal review. It has no person byline. Our editorial policy explains how guides are made, sourced, checked and corrected. If you spot a mistake, write to hello@leakvoid.com.