Etidal and Telegram Remove Over 34 Million Extremist Items in First Half of 2026
Here's what it means for you.
Your digital safety is bolstered as platforms work to limit extremist content.
What happened
Etidal and Telegram removed over 34 million extremist items and closed 1,275 channels in the first half of 2026.
The Context
- Ongoing partnership: Etidal and Telegram have collaborated since February 2022 to combat extremist propaganda online.
- Significant impact: Cumulatively, they have removed nearly 293 million items and closed over 20,000 channels, enhancing online safety.
- Regional focus: The efforts contribute to broader digital security measures across the Gulf region, including Dubai.
The Number
— This staggering figure represents the extremist content items removed in just six months, highlighting the scale of the ongoing digital counter-extremism initiatives.
Takeaway
Expect continued efforts from Etidal and Telegram to further reduce extremist content online, enhancing safety for users.
Regional and international reporting focused on Middle Eastern politics, diplomacy, and economics.
"Asharq Al-Awsat is a Saudi-owned international newspaper reflecting mainstream Gulf political perspectives."
— A47 Editor
Etidal, Telegram Remove over 34 Million Extremist Items
Etidal and Telegram have collaborated to remove over 34 million pieces of extremist content from the platform in the first half of 2026, alongside shutting down 1,275 channels promoting such materials. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to co...
English-language reporting on Saudi politics, policy, and society.
"Saudi Gazette reflects mainstream Saudi institutional perspectives."
— A47 Editor
1,275 channels shut; 34 million pieces of extremist content removed in 1H of 2026
In the first half of 2026, a total of 34.29 million pieces of extremist content were removed and 1,275 channels promoting such materials were shut down, thanks to the collaboration between the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology (Etidal) a...
English-language reporting focused on Saudi Arabia and regional affairs.
"Saudi Gazette provides English-language coverage that often aligns with mainstream Saudi news priorities."
— A47 Editor
1,275 channels shut; 34 million pieces of extremist content removed in 1H of 2026
In the first half of 2026, a total of 34.29 million pieces of extremist content were removed and 1,275 channels promoting such materials were shut down, thanks to the collaboration between the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology (Etidal) a...
Arabic-language reporting focused on domestic developments in Saudi Arabia.
"Okaz is a mainstream Saudi newspaper that often reflects domestic priorities and official-facing coverage."
— A47 Editor
تعاون «اعتدال» و«تليجرام» يزيل 34 مليون مادة متطرفة ويغلق آلاف القنوات
Ongoing collaboration between the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology (I'tidal) and Telegram has led to the removal of 34,290,268 extremist materials and the closure of 1,275 channels in the first half of 2026. Since the partnership began ...
Arabic-language coverage of Saudi, regional, and international affairs.
"Al Bilad offers mainstream Saudi newspaper coverage across domestic and broader Arab topics."
— A47 Editor
“اعتدال” و”تليجرام” يزيلان 34 مليون محتوى متطرف بالنصف الأول
The joint effort between the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology, known as 'I'tidal', and the messaging platform 'Telegram' has resulted in the removal of 34.29 million extremist materials in the first half of 2026. Additionally, 1,275 cha...