Telegram ‘Surprised’ By The Government Order
Vietnam has ordered local telecom operators to block the popular messaging app Telegram, accusing it of failing to help authorities combat rising online crimes. The move, directed by Vietnam’s Ministry of Information and Communications, targets the app for its alleged role in enabling fraud, drug trafficking, and even suspected terrorism.
The official directive, dated May 21, mandates all Vietnamese telecommunication service providers to take technical measures to block Telegram. They are also required to report their compliance to the ministry by June 2. The order follows concerns raised by the country’s cybersecurity department based on reports from the police.
According to a document seen by Reuters, Vietnamese authorities claim that nearly 68% of the 9,600 Telegram channels and groups operating in the country have violated local laws. The violations include fraud schemes, drug-related activities, and groups suspected of links to terrorism.
Telegram Calls Ban “Surprising”
Telegram, which has nearly a billion users globally, said it was surprised by the accusations. A company representative told Reuters that they had been cooperating with Vietnamese authorities and responded to all legal requests in time.
“We have responded to legal requests from Vietnam on time,” Telegram said. “This morning, we received a formal notice from the Authority of Communications regarding a standard service notification procedure required under new telecom regulations. The deadline for the response is May 27, and we are processing the request.”
Refusal to Share User Data at the Core
A Vietnamese technology ministry official told Reuters that the government’s action was driven by Telegram’s refusal to share user data during criminal investigations. Telegram’s end-to-end encryption model, which appeals to users who value privacy, has repeatedly clashed with global regulators demanding access for law enforcement.
Vietnamese police and state-run media have long warned citizens about scams and data breaches facilitated through Telegram. Authorities have accused the platform of not adhering to laws that require social media platforms to remove illegal content.
The ministry’s document claims that several large groups with tens of thousands of members are used by opposition figures to share anti-government material. Such accusations echo Vietnam’s broader concerns over digital dissent, especially as the government tightens control over online spaces.
Censorship and Digital Crackdown in Vietnam
Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party maintains strict oversight of digital content. Over the years, it has compelled global tech companies like Facebook, YouTube, Google, and TikTok to remove or block content that it considers “toxic” or harmful to the state.
Telegram is just the latest platform facing regulatory heat in Vietnam. Despite the ban order, the app remained accessible in the country as of Friday.
Globally, Telegram has also faced scrutiny. Last year, its founder Pavel Durov was briefly detained in France amid concerns over security and data transparency.
As Vietnam deepens its regulatory grip over the internet, platforms that prioritize user privacy may increasingly find themselves in conflict with state policies demanding surveillance and censorship.
