Vietnam’s Ministry of Technology has instructed telecom providers to block the messaging app Telegram due to its alleged lack of cooperation in addressing criminal activities linked to its users. Telegram described the move as unexpected.
A document dated May 21, signed by the deputy head of the telecom department, directed telecom companies to implement the block and report back by June 2.
The directive came from the country’s cybersecurity division after police reported that 68% of the 9,600 Telegram channels and groups in Vietnam were involved in illegal activities such as fraud, drug trafficking, and suspected terrorism-related cases.
The ministry urged telecom providers to “implement solutions and measures to restrict Telegram’s operations in Vietnam,” according to the document.
Following the announcement, the government confirmed the decision on its official website.
A representative from Telegram expressed surprise, stating, “We have responded to legal requests from Vietnam promptly. This morning, we received a formal notification from the communications authority regarding a standard procedure under new telecom regulations. We are currently processing the request, with a response deadline of May 27.”
A technology ministry official explained that the move was due to Telegram’s failure to provide user data requested during criminal investigations.
Vietnamese police and state media have repeatedly warned the public about potential crimes, fraud, and data security risks associated with Telegram channels and groups.
Despite this, Telegram remained accessible in Vietnam as of Friday.
Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party enforces strict media censorship and tolerates little opposition. The government has repeatedly urged companies like Facebook, Google, YouTube, and TikTok to collaborate in removing content considered harmful, including false, offensive, or anti-state material.
Telegram is accused of not complying with laws requiring social media platforms to monitor, remove, and block illegal content, according to the ministry’s document.
The document also noted that many groups with large followings were created by opposition figures spreading anti-government material.
With nearly 1 billion users worldwide, Telegram has faced global controversies around security and data privacy, including an incident last year in France where its founder, Pavel Durov, was briefly detained.
French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to visit Vietnam starting Sunday.
