Messaging app Telegram blocks 78 'ISIS-related' channels

Telegram, a messaging app known for its emphasis on privacy and security, confirmed Wednesday it had shut down dozens of public channels that "were being used by ISIS to spread their propaganda."

In a statement posted on the company's Telegram News channel, which is publicly accessible to the app's users, the company said that it had blocked 78 channels in the past week for ISIS-related activity. The company also said it would soon add an update to make it easier for people to report "objectionable public content."

Telegram is a messaging app known for its heavy encryption and emphasis on users' privacy. The app is widely popular internationally, where it is used as an alternative to WhatsApp on similar services. The app racked up millions of downloads in 2014, following Facebook's acquisition of WhatsApp. The app sees more than 12 billion messages a day, according to its founder, Pavel Durov, who revealed the stat during TechCrunch Disrupt in September. Read more...