Isis kicked off Telegram chat app, after it was used to broadcast news about Paris attacks

The app was used to claim credit for both the Paris attacks and the bombing of a Russian plane over Sinai

The Telegram messaging app logo is seen on a website in Singapore November 19, 2015. The mobile messaging service Telegram, created by the exiled founder of Russia’s most popular social network site, has emerged as an important new promotional and recruitment platform for Islamic State (REUTERS/Thomas White)

The chat app that many have claimed is being used by Isis militants to plot attacks has taken action against the group, banning a huge number of the channels it apparently uses.

Telegram is an app that allows people to talk using encrypted messages, which can only be read by the two people receiving them. It has received sustained attention since the attacks in Paris, since some have claimed that it is being used to recruit extremists and then plan attacks.

The app was used by Isis to claim credit for both the Paris attacks and the bombing of a Russian plane over Sinai. It allows the group to broadcast their message to journalists and others without being tracked down.

Icons from the Telegram messaging app show some of its headline features, including self-destructing messages that can't be read (REUTERS/Thomas White)

But the app has banned many of the channels that were being used to do so. Telegram users have been reporting the channels and then the company itself is shutting them down, according to the company.

“We were disturbed to learn that Telegram's public channels were being used by ISIS to spread their propaganda,” the app’s team wrote on the app. “As a result, this week alone we blocked 78 ISIS-related channels across 12 languages.”

The app made clear that all of the conversations on the app are private. But “sticker sets, channels, and bots on Telegram are publicly available,” it said.

The app encouraged people to contact its abuse email if they are aware of channels or stickers that are using Telegram for illegal purposes.

“Our mission is to provide a secure means of communication that works everywhere on the planet. In order to do that in the places where it is most needed (and to continue distributing Telegram through the App Store and Google Play), we have to process legitimate requests to take down illegal public content (sticker sets, bots, and channels) within the app,” the team wrote. “For example, we can take down sticker sets that violate intellectual property rights or porn bots in countries where pornography is illegal.

“Please note that this does not apply to local restrictions on freedom of speech. For example, if criticizing the government is illegal in a country, Telegram won‘t be a part of such politically motivated censorship. This goes against our founders’ principles. While we do block terrorist (e.g. ISIS-related) bots and channels, we will not block anybody who peacefully expresses alternative opinions.”