Vietnam to Block Telegram Over Illegal Activity Concerns

#Vietnam to block #Telegram by June 2, 2025, citing its role in #illegal activities. Authorities claim 68% of Telegram channels in Vietnam involve fraud, drug trafficking, and anti-government content. The app’s encryption and lack of cooperation with local laws fuel scams, prompting the ban.

Vietnam is blocking the Telegram messaging app due to its alleged failure to cooperate with authorities in combating illegal activities.

The Ministry of Science and Technology’s Authority of Telecommunications has instructed telecom providers to implement technical measures to block Telegram by June 2, 2025, following a report from the Department of Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention (A05). According to the government, 68% of the 9,600 Telegram channels and groups in Vietnam are involved in harmful activities, including fraud, drug trafficking, terrorism, and anti-government content.

Telegram’s lack of a legal entity in Vietnam and its refusal to share user data for criminal investigations violate local laws, such as Decree No. 147/2024/ND-CP and the Law on Telecommunications, which require cross-border platforms to register and comply with content moderation requests.

Additionally, Telegram has been linked to rising scams in Vietnam. Cybersecurity experts note that its features, like end-to-end encryption and the ability to delete messages for both parties, are exploited by scammers for fraud, phishing, and data theft. Since 2023, authorities have warned about scams involving fake investment schemes, cryptocurrency fraud, and romance scams. For instance, in May 2024, Nam Dinh authorities prosecuted individuals running 50+ Telegram groups with 25,000 members for prostitution and fraud, causing significant financial losses.

This move aligns with Vietnam’s broader push to control online platforms, as seen with regulations requiring user identity verification and content moderation. Critics argue this reflects increasing censorship, while the government claims it’s necessary for national security and public safety.

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