Report Vietnam Orders Telecom Providers to Block Telegram Amid Concerns Over Illegal Content

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Vietnam's Telecommunications Authority (VNTA) has directed telecom and internet service providers to employ technical measures to block the messaging app Telegram due to its involvement in disseminating harmful and subversive content. This action follows an official request from the Department of Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention and Control, known as A05, under the Ministry of Public Security.

 

According to A05, a significant portion—68%—of approximately 9,600 Telegram channels and groups in Vietnam have been identified as containing harmful content. These groups are reportedly used by reactionary or anti-government entities to share subversive materials, conduct scams, sell illegal user data, distribute drugs, and potentially engage in terrorism.

 

As per Decree No 147/2024/NĐ-CP, which governs the management and use of internet services, cross-border service providers like Telegram are required to adhere to Vietnamese laws while operating in the country. They must provide contact information to authorities and are obligated to monitor and remove illegal content upon request as per the Law on Cybersecurity.

 

The decree underscores that foreign service providers violating Vietnamese regulations, and failing to cooperate with authorities, may face technical measures intended to prevent the misuse of the internet. This is particularly to protect national security, social order, morality, and safeguard children from negative online impacts.

 

The document from A05 highlights that exploiting telecom services for acts threatening national security and social order is strictly prohibited under the Law on Telecommunications. Consequently, telecom providers must enforce service-blocking measures as required by law.

 

Starting January 1, 2025, telecom companies are mandated to notify authorities prior to offering services. Telegram has reportedly not complied with this regulation, highlighting a breach of Article 9(4) of the telecommunications law—a prohibited act under current legislation.

 

In response, telecom providers are tasked with implementing necessary technical measures to block unauthorized services, as detailed in Article 79(1)(c) of Decree No 163/2024/NĐ-CP. This move aligns with Vietnam's stringent approach to regulating internet services and ensuring content aligns with local laws and safety standards.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Vietnam News 2025-05-23