Vietnam has ordered telecom providers to block Telegram, accusing it of enabling illegal content and refusing to cooperate with criminal investigations.
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| Vietnam accuses Telegram of refusing to cooperate in criminal probes and spreading harmful content; the messaging app remains accessible during the dispute. Image: CH |
HANOI, Vietnam — May 24, 2025:
Vietnam has ordered internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to the popular encrypted messaging platform Telegram, citing non-cooperation with criminal investigations and the widespread dissemination of illicit content. The move highlights the country’s escalating efforts to control online information and enforce digital compliance.
According to a report on the government's news portal, the Ministry of Science and Technology's telecommunications department sent a formal directive on May 21 instructing ISPs to implement “solutions and measures” to halt Telegram’s activities in the country. Providers must report their compliance by June 2.
Authorities allege that nearly 70% of the 9,600 Telegram channels operating in Vietnam are hosting “poisonous and bad information.” These include so-called anti-state materials, data sales, and drug trafficking content. The government further claims that some groups on Telegram are linked to “terrorist” activities, intensifying scrutiny on the platform.
Telegram, which has nearly 11.8 million users in Vietnam and almost one billion globally, said it was “surprised” by the decision. A company spokesperson told Reuters that Telegram had responded to Vietnamese legal requests and was still within the May 27 deadline to fully comply. The app remains accessible in Vietnam as of Friday.
An official from the Science and Technology Ministry told Reuters that the block order stemmed from Telegram's failure to provide requested user data as part of ongoing criminal investigations.
This crackdown is part of a broader trend in Vietnam, where the one-party government has tightened control over social media. In 2024, new regulations came into force requiring platforms like Facebook and TikTok to verify user identities and hand over user data upon demand—policies widely criticized by free speech advocates.
The ban on Telegram follows similar patterns seen in other authoritarian-leaning states, raising concerns about digital freedom and the potential for misuse of cybersecurity laws to stifle dissent. Despite the government’s claims, no public evidence of specific criminal activity has yet been provided.
Telegram has faced global scrutiny for its hands-off moderation approach, but the platform maintains it complies with legitimate legal requests while protecting user privacy. In Vietnam’s case, the outcome of this standoff could set a precedent for how tech platforms navigate increasingly restrictive environments in Southeast Asia.