Vietnam to Block Telegram by June Over National Security Concerns

Vietnam will begin blocking access to the Telegram messaging app in early June, following a directive from the country’s Ministry of Public Security citing violations of national laws, according to a government announcement on Friday.

Internet service providers have been instructed by the telecommunications department to shut down access to Telegram before June 2, 2025. The order comes amid accusations that the platform has been used to spread “anti-state” content and facilitate illegal activities.

A government report stated that nearly 68 percent of 9,600 Telegram channels accessible in Vietnam host what authorities described as “poisonous and bad information.” Some of these groups are said to involve tens of thousands of members sharing documents critical of the state and participating in activities deemed reactionary.

Authorities also allege that certain Telegram groups are involved in criminal operations, including selling users’ personal data, drug trafficking, and having links to terrorist networks. The report criticised Telegram for failing to cooperate with Vietnamese law enforcement or report such violations.

The app, founded by Russian-born Pavel Durov—who was arrested in France last August and faces charges related to extremist content—has become a target of Vietnam’s tightening control over digital platforms.

Vietnam’s government, known for its strict stance on dissent, has recently introduced rules requiring platforms like Facebook and TikTok to verify users’ identities and provide user data to authorities. Critics argue these steps mark an escalating crackdown on free expression.

Internet providers in Vietnam are now required to confirm how they will comply with the Telegram ban, the government said, reinforcing its aim to combat online behavior considered a threat to national security and social order.