Preparations to ban Telegram in Vietnam, government calls it a threat to national security

The Vietnam government has started preparations to ban the popular messaging app Telegram. The government alleges that the platform is promoting illegal and anti-national content and is not following the laws of the country.

According to a Bloomberg report, the Ministry of Home Affairs of Vietnam has accused Telegram of allowing activities that harm public order and national security. The ministry says that dangerous content such as anti-government messages, fraud, drug trafficking and illegal data trading are being shared on many Telegram groups in the country.

According to government officials, Telegram was repeatedly asked to monitor and remove such content, but the company did not cooperate in any way. Not only this, Telegram has not even registered its business in Vietnam, which is mandatory under the law there.

The government has now instructed local telecom and internet service providers to start blocking Telegram's services. However, there has been no official response from Telegram and Vietnam's Ministry of Technology yet.

This move is believed to be part of a larger strategy by the Vietnamese government to increase control over the digital space. Global platforms like Facebook and YouTube are still operational in the country, but the government is taking a tough stance against online dissent and illegal content. In 2023, the government also imposed a rule that foreign social media platforms would have to verify the identity of users and provide that information to the government if needed.

While some have called it an attack on freedom of expression, the government says these steps are necessary to maintain stability in the country and ensure compliance with digital law.

It now remains to be seen what the future holds for Telegram in Vietnam, as the government has indicated that strict action will be taken against platforms that do not conform to local regulations.