Spain's High Court has temporarily suspended the messaging app Telegram due to a lawsuit alleging copyright infringement by media companies.

Telecom operators were given a three-hour deadline to implement the court's suspension order, yet Telegram continued to operate in Spain as of Sunday.

The National Court's decision was influenced by the British Virgin Islands authorities' failure to cooperate in identifying the account holders accused of the infringement.

Consumer advocates and Spain's Professional Association for Computer Engineering have decried the suspension as an excessive response.

El País reported on Telegram's history of withholding user information from authorities, noting its use by both regime critics and criminal elements.

The case represents a significant moment in the balance between digital platform regulation and the rights to privacy and free expression in Spain.