"68 percent criminal channels": Vietnam blocks Telegram app

The Vietnamese government is making serious allegations against Telegram. More than two-thirds of its channels are allegedly linked to criminal activities such as fraud, drugs, or terrorism. Because the messaging service refused to cooperate, the app was blocked. The company denies this.

In Vietnam, the Ministry of Technology has ordered telecommunications service providers to block the messaging app Telegram. According to a document signed by the deputy head of the Ministry of Technology's telecommunications department and seen by Reuters, dated May 21, the telecom companies are to "implement solutions and measures to prevent Telegram's activities in Vietnam."

The ministry said it acted on behalf of the country's cybersecurity department, as police said 68 percent of the 9,600 Telegram channels and groups in Vietnam violated the law. The document details the illegal activities in the groups, including fraud, drug trafficking, and "cases suspected of being related to terrorism." A technology ministry official said the move came after Telegram failed to provide user data to the government when requested as part of a criminal investigation.

Telegram appears surprised

"Telegram is surprised by these statements," a company representative said. "We have responded to legal requests from Vietnam in a timely manner. This morning, we received a formal notice from the Communications Authority regarding a standard service notification procedure required by the new telecommunications regulations. The deadline for response is May 27, and we are processing the request," the Telegram representative continued.

Vietnamese police and state news agencies have repeatedly warned of potential crimes, fraud, and data breaches in Telegram channels and groups. Telegram, which competes globally with other social media apps such as Facebook's WhatsApp and WeChat, remained available in Vietnam on Friday. Vietnam's ruling Communist Party maintains strict media censorship and tolerates little dissent. The country has repeatedly called on companies such as Facebook, Google's YouTube, and TikTok to coordinate with authorities to curb content deemed "toxic," including abusive, false, and anti-state content.