Vietnamese government closes Telegram: Cybercrime in sight!

Vietnamese government closes Telegram: Cybercrime in sight!

The Vietnamese Ministry of Technology has ordered the blocking app Telegram to be blocked in order to act against a growing number of cybercrime and data protection violations. In a document, dated May 21, the Ministry calls on the telecommunications service providers to take suitable measures in order to prevent Telegram's use in the country. This decision was signed by a deputy head of the telecommunications department and confirmed by the Reuters news agency. The step is part of the efforts of the Cyber ​​Security Department of Vietnam to combat the increasing illegal activities on the platform.

According to the Vietnamese police, 68 percent of the 9,600 telegram channels and groups have violated applicable laws. The types of illegal activities that take place in these groups include fraud, drug trafficking and suspected terrorist connections. The pressure on Telegram increased after the company did not provide the required user data than was requested in the context of an investigation. A representative of Telegram expressed that the company reacted appropriately to legal inquiries and was surprised by the decision to block.

security concerns and media control

Despite the order for the blocking, Telegram was still available in Vietnam last Friday. The Vietnamese police and state news agencies have warned that they should pay attention to potential crimes and data protection violations in telegram channels. The strict media censorship measures in Vietnam are known because the country's communist party is hardly tolerated. Companies such as Facebook, YouTube and Tiktok have been encouraged to coordinate more with the authorities in order to control content considered as "toxic".

experts recommend increasing control over cross -border platforms such as Telegram. This view is strengthened by regulations applicable in Vietnam, the offshore service providers impose strict requirements. According to the new law on cyber security from 2018, companies that offer operational services in Vietnam have to verify user information and to authenticate digital accounts when registering.

regulatory framework for digital services

The DEKET 147 obliges offshore service providers to either rent data storage in Vietnam or to achieve a number of 100,000 monthly visits from Vietnam for at least six consecutive months. These regulations aim to ensure better control over the digital content and to protect user data. Experts see it as necessary to introduce technologies such as content filters to prevent social problems on platforms such as Telegram that are considered "paradise" for cybercriminals.

While the Vietnamese government takes the security situation seriously, it is crucial that reconnaissance campaigns are carried out in order to clarify users about potential risks in digital communication channels. Experts not only call for quick measures to restrict such platforms, but also a comprehensive social discussion about the effects of regulation and media control.

The developments related to Telegram's blocking in Vietnam illustrate the tensions between technological innovations and the challenges associated with cybercrime and data protection in the digital era. The upcoming deadlines and regulations will be important for both operators and for users of social platforms in Vietnam. It remains to be seen which further steps the Vietnamese authorities will take in this context.