The Vietnam Telecommunications Authority, under the Ministry of Science and Technology, issued the order after the Ministry of Public Security’s Cyber Crime Prevention Department reported that 68% of the 9,600 Telegram channels and groups in Vietnam were “malicious,” involved in fraud, drug trafficking, terrorism, and spreading anti-government content.
Authorities accuse Telegram of not complying with new regulations requiring platforms to report violations and of ignoring police requests for user data during investigations. The government has mandated telecom operators to deploy measures to prevent Telegram’s activities and submit compliance reports by 2 June.
Telegram expressed surprise at the move, asserting it has responded to legal requests in a timely manner. With approximately 11.8 million users in Vietnam, the app’s encryption and privacy features have previously led governments worldwide to ban or restrict its use. Telegram remains banned indefinitely in countries like China, Thailand, and Iran, due to concerns over criminal misuse and disinformation.
