Telegram won't work with ministry over 'political censorship'

Telegram won't work with ministry over 'political censorship'


Messaging platform Telegram has reportedly said it refuses to participate in “any form of political censorships” as a reason for its non-cooperation with the Communications and Digital Ministry.

English daily New Straits Times quoted Telegram spokesperson Remi Vaughn who said the messaging application has, since its launch, actively moderated harmful content on its platform, including the sale of illegal substances and pornography.

Vaughn said Telegram’s team of moderators proactively monitors the app and accepts user reports through the platform itself and through emails to abuse@Telegram.org.

This was to remove content that breaches Telegram’s terms of service, said Vaughn.

“Telegram will not, however, participate in any form of political censorships,” according to Vaughn in a statement to NST.

In March, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the ministry had summoned Telegram over abuses of the platform to spread pornography, extremism, and scam activities, among others.

Yesterday, Fahmi however reportedly said Telegram had not been cooperating with the government since January and that the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), as the regulatory body, will propose the next course of action to be taken against the platform.