More than 60 Telegram channels blocked in Germany

Messenger service Telegram, which has proved popular with far-right groups and people opposed to Covid-related restrictions, has blocked 64 of its channels in Germany.

Telegram has been blamed in Germany for fuelling an increasingly virulent subculture of anti-vaccine “conspiracy theorists” who exchange news about supposed dangers and arrange protests that have spilled over into violence.

The Telegram app has become increasingly popular with activists and protesters as other platforms such as Facebook become more responsive to government pressure to crack down on those spreading lies, threats or conspiracy theories.