Iraq’s telecoms ministry announced that it will lift the ban on the Telegram messaging app on Sunday, August 13. Recall that earlier this week, we reported that the Telegram app has been blocked in Iraq. The ban was slammed on the app due to concerns regarding national security and data safety. The ministry claimed that the app was frequently used by militia groups and that it had leaked user data. This includes official state data and citizens’ personal data. The ban was imposed to prevent the misuse of the app for illegal activities and to protect the privacy of the users.
After the ban, Telegram released a statement asking its users in Iraq to remain calm. It said that it is in talks with the government and will resolve the issue. Well, it appears that the talks paid off as Iraq’s telecoms ministry has now announced that it will lift the ban today.
The statement from the ministry gave the reason for lifting the ban. It said
“The company that owns the platform responded to the requirements of the security authorities that called on the company to disclose the entities that leaked citizens’ data … expressed its full readiness to communicate with the relevant authorities … for this reasons, we will lift the ban on August 13th”
Gizchina News of the week
Telegram’s Response
Telegram responded to the security requirements set by the Iraqi government. The company agreed to implement measures to prevent the misuse of the app for illegal activities. It also agreed to protect the privacy of the users. This info was revealed in the official press statement from the Iraqi government.
The company also listed some of the data protection policies that it already has. One such is the end-to-end encryption feature. The company said that this feature will tackle users’ data leaks. It claims that the feature means that only the sender and the recipient of the message can read its content. In fact, not even Telegram can access it.
The app also listed other features like self-destructing messages and two-factor authentication. These features also aim to tackle security concerns and maintain the privacy and security of its users. The app further said that users can now report and block users who violate the terms of service.
Final Words
The ban on Telegram in Iraq was imposed due to national security concerns, leaked data and the safety of users’ personal data. The Iraqi government claimed that the app was used by militia groups to control their activities. It also claims that the app could be used to spread false info, incite violence, and destabilize the country. Telegram responded to the security requirements set by the government. The app also agreed to implement measures to prevent the misuse of the app for illegal activities. Telegram assures the government that it will protect the privacy of the users. The decision to unblock the app came after Telegram responded to the security requirements set by the Iraqi government.
