Archive · 28 May 2025
Vietnam Orders Ban on Telegram Amid Illegal Activity Concerns
Imagine a popular messaging app called Telegram.
The Vietnamese government has asked telecom companies to stop people from using it because they believe many people use it for bad things, like drug deals and scams.
The government says Telegram hasn't been helping them catch criminals and hasn't shared user information.
Telegram says they have responded to the requests from Vietnam, but the government says they haven't been monitoring illegal content well enough.
Telegram has nearly a billion users worldwide, but this isn't the first time it has faced controversies.
Vietnam's technology ministry ordered a ban on the Telegram messaging app.
The ban follows reports that 68% of Telegram channels in Vietnam were used for illegal activities.
The ministry cited Telegram's refusal to share user data as a key reason for the ban.
Telegram claims to have responded to legal requests from Vietnam on time.
The ban underscores Vietnam's efforts to regulate online platforms due to rising cybersecurity concerns.
- Who
- Vietnam's technology ministry
- What
- Ordered telecommunication providers to block the Telegram messaging app
- When
- May 21, with providers ordered to restrict operations by June 2.
- Where
- Vietnam
- Why
- Telegram's alleged failure to cooperate in combating crimes and refusal to share user data for criminal investigations.
Vietnam's Stance
Telegram's Stance
Cooperation with Authorities
Vietnam's Stance
Telegram is accused of not cooperating with authorities in combating crimes.
Telegram's Stance
Telegram claims to have responded to legal requests from Vietnam on time.
- Country
- Vietnam
- App Affected
- Telegram
- Percent of Channels Violating Laws
- 68%
- Illegal Activities
- Fraud, drug trafficking
- Worldwide Users
- Nearly 1 billion