A recent government document from Vietnam indicates that the Ministry of Technology has directed telecommunications providers to block access to the Telegram app due to its lack of collaboration in addressing purported crimes committed by its users.

This document, dated May 21 and signed by the Deputy Head of the Communications Department at the Ministry of Technology, mandates telecom companies to implement measures to restrict Telegram and report back to the ministry by June 2.

The ministry has requested service providers to “apply solutions and procedures to prevent Telegram activities in Vietnam.”

The document states that this action was taken following guidance from the country’s cybersecurity division, which highlighted that reports from law enforcement suggested that 68% of the 9,600 channels and groups on Telegram in Vietnam were in violation of the law. The most notable illegal activities associated with these groups include fraud, drug trafficking, and possible terrorism-related issues.

A representative from the Ministry of Technology confirmed the authenticity of the document to Reuters, mentioning that the decision came after Telegram failed to provide user data to the government when requested during criminal investigations.

As of now, neither Telegram nor the Vietnamese Ministry of Technology has responded to requests for comments.

Despite these developments, Telegram remains accessible in Vietnam as of this Friday.