Vietnam moves to block Telegram messaging app over claims of "anti-state" content and illegal activity
By ramontomeydw // 2025-05-29
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  • The Vietnamese government directed telecom providers to block Telegram, citing illegal activities and non-compliance with local laws. The country's Ministry of Science and Technology issued the order on May 21.
  • Authorities claim 68 percent of Telegram channels in Vietnam host harmful material, including fraud and anti-government propaganda. Over 9,600 channels were flagged for spreading dissident content.
  • The platform expressed surprise, stating it had cooperated with legal requests and was reviewing a formal notice with a May 27 deadline. It disputes claims of enabling illegal activities.
  • Vietnam has intensified online control, pressuring foreign tech firms (Facebook, YouTube, TikTok) to remove "anti-state" content. Telegram’s encryption features have drawn scrutiny for hindering law enforcement.
  • If enforced, this would be Vietnam's first ban on an encrypted messaging app, signaling stricter internet policing. The move mirrors authoritarian tactics seen in China and Russia, raising concerns about digital rights and privacy.
The Vietnamese government has ordered telecommunications providers in the country to block access to Telegram, accusing the encrypted messaging platform of enabling illegal activities and failing to comply with local regulations. The directive to block the messaging app was issued by the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology on May 21. It followed allegations by the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security (MPS) that 68 percent of Telegram channels in Vietnam host "toxic" content, including fraud and and anti-government propaganda. Telegram, which has nearly one billion users worldwide, expressed surprise at the move. It stated in an email that it had responded to legal requests from Vietnamese authorities, and was processing a formal notice with a May 27 deadline. The crackdown aligns with Hanoi's broader efforts to tighten control over online speech, particularly content deemed critical of the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam. Authorities have long pressured foreign tech companies – including Facebook, YouTube and TikTok – to remove material labeled as "anti-state" or harmful. However, Telegram has faced heightened scrutiny due to its encryption features, which officials argue hinder law enforcement investigations. A government document obtained by Reuters claimed that Telegram had not shared user data when requested, violating Vietnamese laws requiring cooperation in criminal cases.

Vietnam's escalating war on digital dissent

Vietnam's approach mirrors tactics used by other authoritarian governments to suppress dissent under the guise of cybersecurity. China, for instance, has long banned Telegram alongside other Western platforms. Meanwhile, Russia has intermittently restricted access during periods of political unrest. (Related: Brazil Supreme Court bans free speech app Telegram against the will of President Jair Bolsonaro.) Unlike China, Vietnam still permits global social media services. But its increasing censorship measures signal a shift toward more aggressive digital policing. The MPS pointed to over 9,600 Telegram channels in the country, alleging that opposition groups used them to spread anti-government materials – a claim Telegram disputes. The ban, if enforced, would mark the first time Vietnam has fully blocked an encrypted messaging app. Previous restrictions have targeted independent news websites and dissident voices. However, Telegram's widespread use for both personal and political communication makes its potential removal particularly significant. Historically, Vietnam's internet policies have evolved alongside its political priorities. A 2018 cybersecurity law mandated that foreign tech firms store user data locally and remove "prohibited content" within 24 hours of government requests. The latest action against Telegram suggests an escalation in enforcement, raising concerns among digital rights advocates. As governments worldwide grapple with balancing security and civil liberties, Hanoi's decision underscores the growing tension between state control and technological freedom. Telegram remains accessible in Vietnam, but its future in the country hinges on negotiations with regulators. If the ban proceeds, it will join a growing list of platforms restricted in the name of national security – a trend that shows no signs of slowing. The outcome will serve as a litmus test for the resilience of digital privacy in an era of increasing surveillance. Visit Banned.news for more similar stories. Watch Elijah Schaffer reporting that the U.S. Department of State was responsible for the arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov. This video is from the Puretrauma357 channel on Brighteon.com.

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EU targets Telegram: Could the messaging app face new censorship orders? Ukrainian lawmaker dubs Telegram messaging app a "tool of the enemy." Telegram's Pavel Durov: EU has stricter media controls than Russia. Sources include: ReclaimTheNet.org Reuters.com RFA.org Brighteon.com
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