Telegram Banned in Iraq
The Iraqi Ministry of Communications announced that they are banning access to Telegram for reasons related to “national security”.
In the statement the ministry points out that the government tried to contact Telegram multiple times to establish cooperation around blocking Iraqi citizen sensitive info leaks, but the messenger never responded.
The Ministry of Communications affirms its respect for citizens' rights to freedom of expression and communication, without compromising the security of the state and its institutions, and expresses its confidence in citizens' understanding of this measure [banning Telegram]. — The Iraqi Ministry of Communications
In the regions of Iraq where Telegram is banned, Telegram has been gaining popularity over Facebook products (WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram Direct). Iraqi state representatives are still publishing news to Telegram regardless of the ban. Some have already announced their migration to alternative platforms.
Users from Iraq have been reporting connectivity issues since yesterday, they are still able to circumvent the ban with proxies and VPNs. There is also an increasing number of reports on DownDetector regarding this.
The DownDetector reports not only come from Iraq, but also from countries which are near it: Georgia and Turkey. Twitter users from Iraq, Georgia, and Turkey are reporting Telegram connectivity issues, too. The cause of the issues in Georgia and Turkey is still unclear. It may be that the ban in one country has affected others because of the cross-dependent Internet infrastructure in countries located close to each other — cases like these have happened before.
One of the main reasons for the ban is the numerous data leaks of Iraqi citizens from government databases that were distributed on Telegram and other platforms since then. The government might be trying to seize access to the leaked data, prevent criticism, or pressure Telegram into cooperation.
#Iraq #bans
The Iraqi Ministry of Communications announced that they are banning access to Telegram for reasons related to “national security”.
In the statement the ministry points out that the government tried to contact Telegram multiple times to establish cooperation around blocking Iraqi citizen sensitive info leaks, but the messenger never responded.
The Ministry of Communications affirms its respect for citizens' rights to freedom of expression and communication, without compromising the security of the state and its institutions, and expresses its confidence in citizens' understanding of this measure [banning Telegram]. — The Iraqi Ministry of Communications
In the regions of Iraq where Telegram is banned, Telegram has been gaining popularity over Facebook products (WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram Direct). Iraqi state representatives are still publishing news to Telegram regardless of the ban. Some have already announced their migration to alternative platforms.
Users from Iraq have been reporting connectivity issues since yesterday, they are still able to circumvent the ban with proxies and VPNs. There is also an increasing number of reports on DownDetector regarding this.
The DownDetector reports not only come from Iraq, but also from countries which are near it: Georgia and Turkey. Twitter users from Iraq, Georgia, and Turkey are reporting Telegram connectivity issues, too. The cause of the issues in Georgia and Turkey is still unclear. It may be that the ban in one country has affected others because of the cross-dependent Internet infrastructure in countries located close to each other — cases like these have happened before.
One of the main reasons for the ban is the numerous data leaks of Iraqi citizens from government databases that were distributed on Telegram and other platforms since then. The government might be trying to seize access to the leaked data, prevent criticism, or pressure Telegram into cooperation.
#Iraq #bans
Telegram Info English
Telegram Banned in Iraq The Iraqi Ministry of Communications announced that they are banning access to Telegram for reasons related to “national security”. In the statement the ministry points out that the government tried to contact Telegram multiple times…
Iraq to Lift the Telegram Ban
In a recent announcement (alt), the Iraqi Ministry of Communications stated that the Telegram ban will be lifted by tomorrow, August 13.
The decision is response to Telegram establishing a communication channel and expressing their readiness to expose those who leaked citizens’ data. — The Iraqi Ministry of Communications
Some users have noticed that Telegram has already started to work again without using proxies. This comes after several suspected channels and bots were banned.
About a week ago, Telegram was banned in Iraq (excluding the autonomous Kurdistan Region), and blamed for being a distribution channel for citizens’ leaked data and ignoring cooperation requests from the Iraqi government.
#Iraq #bans
In a recent announcement (alt), the Iraqi Ministry of Communications stated that the Telegram ban will be lifted by tomorrow, August 13.
The decision is response to Telegram establishing a communication channel and expressing their readiness to expose those who leaked citizens’ data. — The Iraqi Ministry of Communications
Some users have noticed that Telegram has already started to work again without using proxies. This comes after several suspected channels and bots were banned.
About a week ago, Telegram was banned in Iraq (excluding the autonomous Kurdistan Region), and blamed for being a distribution channel for citizens’ leaked data and ignoring cooperation requests from the Iraqi government.
#Iraq #bans