Vietnam directs local providers to block Telegram over users’ illegal activities

Vietnam has ordered telecommunication providers to block access to the messaging app Telegram, citing the platform’s lack of cooperation in addressing criminal activity carried out by its users.

According to an official government document reviewed by Reuters, the country’s Ministry of Information and Communications instructed local telecom companies on May 21 to implement technical measures to restrict Telegram’s operations within Vietnam and to submit reports on these actions by June 2.

The ministry’s order follows a report from law enforcement indicating that approximately 68% of the 9,600 Telegram channels and groups active in Vietnam are involved in illegal activities. These include fraud, drug trafficking, and cases suspected of links to terrorism. As the article states, the decision, issued on behalf of the country’s cyber-security department, emphasises that the ministry had previously requested cooperation from Telegram, particularly regarding access to user data for ongoing criminal investigations — requests that Telegram failed to fulfil.

An official from the technology ministry confirmed the document’s authenticity to Reuters, reinforcing that the move stems from Telegram’s refusal to comply with Vietnam’s legal requirements for digital platforms. These laws mandate social media platforms to monitor, remove, and prevent the spread of illegal content.

The publication points out that the document further alleges that numerous large Telegram groups — some with tens of thousands of members — have been created by individuals described as opposition figures and "reactionary elements" to disseminate anti-government materials.

By Nazrin Sadigova