Spain's High Court has ordered the suspension of messaging app Telegram's services in the country after media companies complained it was allowing users to upload their content without permission, according to a court source.
The use of Telegram in Spain will be temporarily suspended from Monday after a request by media firms including Atresmedia (A3M.MC), opens new tab, EGEDA, Mediaset (GETVF.PK), opens new tab and Telefonica (TEF.MC), opens new tab.
Judge Santiago Pedraz agreed to block Telegram's services in Spain while the claims are investigated. It will be the responsibility of mobile phone providers to block Telegram's services, the court source said.
Telegram is the fourth most-used messaging service in Spain, according to competition watchdog CNMC. It was used by nearly 19% of Spaniards surveyed by CNMC.