Updated May 23, 2025, 6:00 p.m. ET
Vietnam’s Government Moves to Block Telegram Amid Security Concerns
The Vietnamese government has taken a decisive step in its ongoing efforts to regulate online communication by instructing telecommunications companies to block the Telegram messaging app. This directive follows a conclusion by the Ministry of Public Security, which identified the platform as a vehicle for disseminating what it termed “anti-state” content, as reported by state media on Friday.
The order was issued by the Telecommunications Department under the Ministry of Science and Technology on Wednesday. Service providers have been tasked with implementing measures to restrict access to Telegram and are required to report their compliance to the ministry by June 2, according to the Vietnam News Agency. Should the situation remain unchanged, Telegram would mark a significant milestone as the first encrypted messaging app to face a ban in the country.
Despite the impending ban, reports indicate that Telegram remained accessible within Vietnam as of Friday. The directive stems from a document issued by the Ministry of Public Security, which revealed that out of approximately 9,600 Telegram channels and groups operating in Vietnam, a staggering 68% were categorized as “bad and toxic.” Many of these groups, boasting tens of thousands of participants, were found to be involved in activities that included the dissemination of anti-state messages, fraud, drug trafficking, and potential links to terrorism.
The Ministry attributed the establishment of these groups to “opposing and reactionary elements,” reflecting the government’s heightened scrutiny of online discourse. This move aligns with a broader trend of tightening controls over digital information within the country, where the government has routinely blocked websites belonging to independent media and foreign news outlets, including RFA Vietnamese. Additionally, social media giant Facebook has faced pressure to enhance its censorship of political content in Vietnam.
In justifying the ban on Telegram, the Telecommunications Department cited two legal frameworks. Firstly, it referenced Article 9 of the Telecommunications Law, which prohibits the use of telecommunications for activities opposing the state and mandates that service providers register their operations in Vietnam. The department asserted that Telegram had not adhered to these regulations. Secondly, it invoked Decree 147 concerning Internet Services and Online Information, which requires companies offering cross-border internet services to cooperate with the Vietnamese government in removing content deemed unlawful.
In response to the official notice, Telegram expressed its surprise at the government’s actions. Remi Vaughn from the Telegram Press Team communicated via email, stating, “Telegram is surprised by these statements. We have responded to legal requests from Vietnam on time.” Vaughn further noted that the company had received a formal notice from the Authority of Communications regarding a standard service notification procedure necessitated by new telecom regulations, with a deadline for response set for May 27. “We are processing the request,” Vaughn added.
