Telegram returns to Google Play Store after 7-day suspension:After NEET exam row, message editing feature to stay disabled until June 30

Instant messaging app Telegram has resumed operations in India after 7 days. The central government had blocked the app and its associated web services until June 22, following a controversy over the circulation of fake and leaked papers for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). After the NEET re-exam on June 21, the temporary ban on the app was lifted. Subsequently, from the morning of June 23, the app reappeared on the Google Play Store, but many users complained about not being able to download it. Meanwhile, some users reported that ‘after downloading the app, they were unable to sign up or access chats.’ In some cases, this problem occurred for users on both Jio and Airtel networks. For iPhone users, Telegram was not available on the App Store. However, late on Tuesday night, the company posted an update informing users that all services had been restored. Users will not be able to edit messages until June 30 Even though Telegram has returned to India, the government has instructed the company to keep the ‘message-editing’ feature disabled on its platform until June 30. This means users will not be able to make any changes to sent messages. Why did the government block Telegram? The central government had ordered a blanket block, meaning a complete ban, on Telegram and its associated web services until June 22. The government alleged that the platform had completely failed to prevent leaks and fake papers related to the NEET exam, misleading content, and other activities related to exam fraud. This ban was kept in effect during the NEET re-examination held on June 21, to prevent any kind of malpractice. According to officials, no news of any malpractice has come to light during this re-examination. The matter reached the Delhi High Court; the government’s decision considered correct Telegram had challenged the government’s order in the Delhi High Court. However, hearing the matter last week, the Delhi High Court upheld the government’s ban. The court stated that government restrictions are necessary to maintain the dignity and fairness of such a large national-level medical entrance exam in the country. The court also rejected Telegram’s argument, in which the company had stated that the prescribed legal procedure was not followed in imposing the ban.
If Telegram is banned, why not WhatsApp? Telegram had to be temporarily banned because it allowed criminals to hide their identity and create groups of millions. Meanwhile, WhatsApp adheres to Indian rules. It’s easy to track users here.