• Vietnam's technology ministry has ordered a block on Telegram for non-cooperation with criminal investigations.
• 68% of Telegram channels in Vietnam allegedly engage in illegal activities.
• Telegram expressed surprise at the government's decision, stating they have responded to legal requests.

Vietnam's technology ministry has instructed telecommunication service providers to block the messaging app Telegram for its failure to cooperate in preventing alleged crimes committed by its users. The directive, dated May 21, mandates companies to report on their compliance by June 2, as stated in a government document reviewed by sources including Reuters and Channel News Asia.

The government's action comes after reports indicated that 68% of the 9,600 Telegram channels in Vietnam were engaging in activities that violate the law, including fraud and drug trafficking. The decree cites concerns from the country’s cyber-security department related to these violations and the dissemination of what it calls "anti-state" documents, according to Al Jazeera, Reuters, and Channel News Asia.

The ministry's warning highlights that many Telegram channels in the country contain "poisonous and bad information," and some groups are reportedly involved in selling user data and linking to terrorist activities. Although Telegram maintains that it has responded to legal requests in the past, the Vietnamese government perceives the platform as failing to meet its obligations, as noted by Al Jazeera and Reuters.

Concerns over Telegram's compliance with local laws are further exacerbated by Vietnam’s track record of media censorship and the suppression of dissent. The government has previously called on foreign companies like Facebook and TikTok to actively monitor and remove content deemed harmful or false, as cited in reports from both Reuters and Channel News Asia.