Secure messaging app Telegram announced on Wednesday that it is closing 78 public channels believed to have been used by Islamic State supporters and militants. The public channels covered 12 languages.

The Telegram app allows up to 200 users on a single group to chat and coordinate their activities. The app is known for its private messaging features which are heavily encrypted and can be programmed to automatically delete itself after a set period of time. Due to its sophistication and security, Telegram was reportedly used by certain groups linked to the Islamic State to disseminate propaganda messages and videos of their activities.

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In a statement published by Business Insider, Telegram said, "We were disturbed to learn that Telegram's public channels were being used by ISIS to spread their propaganda. As a result, this week alone we blocked 78 ISIS-related channels across 12 languages."

Telegram founder Pavel Durov said in an interview during TechCrunch Disrupt that he is aware of the presence of Islamic State users on the platform. However, Pavel said that the app was designed to promote free speech and privacy above all else. In a post on his Instagram account, Pavel said "I think the French government is as responsible as ISIS for this, because it is their policies and carelessness which eventually led to the tragedy."

Pavel is often called Russia's Mark Zuckerberg. He is responsible for creating VKontakte, a popular alternative to social networking site Facebook.

New York-based counter terrorism analyst for Flashpoint Alex Kassirer told The Guardian that ISIS has been using the Telegram app in order to disseminate press releases aimed at recruiting and boosting the moral of its followers. Some ISIS-controlled channels on Telegram have more than 10,000 followers.

Unlike other messaging and social media platforms, like Twitter and Facebook, Telegram had remained firm on its belief that banning ISIS propaganda channels is a violation of freedom of speech.

TagsTelegram, ISIS, ISIL, Paris Attack, Paris terrorist attack, Paris ISIS attack, ISIS Telegram, Telegram app, Telegram ISIS