Goa, June 18 -- The Central government has accused messaging platform Telegram of becoming a hub for cybercrime, fraud and extremist activities, telling the Delhi High Court that the app has effectively turned into the "new dark web".

The allegations were made in an affidavit filed before the court after Telegram challenged the government's temporary ban on the platform. Defending the restriction, the Centre claimed Telegram's privacy-focused architecture has made it a preferred platform for criminals and threat actors.

According to the affidavit, Telegram is allegedly being used for a wide range of illegal activities, including the circulation of leaked examination papers, cyber fraud, drug trafficking, child sexual exploitation materi...