Vietnam Orders Telegram Block Over Crime Concerns

Vietnam’s Ministry of Information and Communications has ordered telecom providers to block the Telegram messaging app, citing widespread criminal activity on the platform. The directive, dated May 21 and signed by a deputy telecom official, demands that carriers restrict access to Telegram and report compliance by June 2. Authorities claim 68% of the app’s 9,600 local channels are involved in illegal activities, including fraud, drug trafficking, and potential terrorism.

The move comes after Telegram allegedly failed to share user data for criminal investigations, according to the ministry. Vietnam’s cybersecurity department coordinated the action, backed by police reports highlighting the app’s role in criminal networks and anti-government activities. Officials say Telegram has not complied with local laws requiring social media platforms to remove or block unlawful content.

Telegram expressed surprise at the decision, telling Reuters it has responded to legal requests on time. The company acknowledged receiving a formal notice and said it is processing the request before the May 27 deadline. Despite the ban order, Telegram remained accessible in Vietnam as of Friday.

The Vietnamese government maintains strict control over media and digital content, frequently urging tech giants like Meta’s Facebook, Google’s YouTube, and TikTok to remove content deemed offensive or anti-state. Authorities allege Telegram hosts large opposition groups distributing anti-government materials, violating local cybersecurity laws.

Telegram, which has nearly 1 billion users globally, has faced similar controversies elsewhere, including a high-profile case in France where its founder Pavel Durov was briefly detained over national security concerns. The app’s lack of moderation and strong encryption have drawn scrutiny from several governments.

The move comes just ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron’s scheduled visit to Vietnam, adding geopolitical weight to the decision.