Telegram to shut ‘terrorist-related’ channels following Indonesia ban

By | 17 July, 2017

Encrypted messaging service Telegram will shut down “terrorist-related” public channels, its founder said on Sunday, after Indonesia’s government blocked access to the platform citing security concerns.

Indonesia – home to the world’s largest Muslim population – has seen a resurgence in home-grown radicalism, and has stepped up cooperation with its neighbours to stem a growing presence in Southeast Asia of extremist group Islamic State.

On Friday, Indonesian authorities blocked all access to Telegram, saying it had several forums that were “full of radical and terrorist propaganda”.

Telegram founder Pavel Durov said there had been a “miscommunication” with Indonesian authorities as he was not aware of a request by the government to take down certain channels.

Durov said on his Telegram channel:

“Telegram is heavily encrypted and privacy-oriented, but we’re no friends of terrorists.”

He said  he was “upset” over Indonesia’s ban, but since it was implemented, Telegram had taken steps to block certain channels reported by the Indonesian government to carry terrorism-related content.

Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo said on Sunday other social media platforms would not be affected by the government’s latest move.

Telegram is a messaging platform believed to be popular with Islamic State sympathizers, who use chatrooms with hundreds of members as well as have private conversations.

Many messaging apps such as Whatsapp and Telegram offer end-to-end encryption from sender to recipient, which means not even the companies providing the platform can see the messages.

SEE ALSO: Malaysia: WhatsApp chat groups could be in hot water over fake news – deputy minister

Security officials in several countries have complained such apps provide a safe space for militants to communicate with each other. Several governments, including those of Australia and Britain, have urged technology companies to do more to help security agencies thwart threats.

On Sunday, Indonesia’s Communications Ministry did not respond to requests for comment. Some users said they were able to use Telegram to send text messages.

On Saturday, Communications Minister Rudiantara told Reuters by text message Telegram had not processed the government’s requests to take down “radical” content quickly enough.

“We are trying to support their business, but we also need their cooperation in addressing our concerns i.e. in addressing negative content,” he said.  – Reuters



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