TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia is not the only country that blocks access to Telegram messaging application services. Other countries have also blocked Telegram.
Last month, Russia threatened to block Telegram if they did not reveal information on the companies behind Telegram to the government. Russia's Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media, Roskomnadzor, as Reuters shared, accused Telegram for violating the regulation.
Read: Blocking Telegram Not Strategic Measure for Long Term: Expert
Telegram apps, CEO Pavel Duro said, had 40 million active users in Iran. However, last April, based on court decision, Iran blocked voice call Telegram, without any clear reason. It is alleged that it is due to politics since the Telegram was blocked days after an arrest of dozens of people of reform movement who used Telegram as their communication channel. Another possible reason is to protect domestic phone companies.
Read: Govt Blocks Telegram Websites Due to Misuse: Minister
Durov, on January 2016, confirmed that Telegram traffic in Saudi Arabia was limited. He did not know the reason behind the block. In addition, China also blocked Telegram in 2015 because Telegram was used by a Human Rights attorney who was targeted by the government. In Indonesia, Telegram was blocked at 11:00 in the morning on Friday (14/7). It was blocked since it is used by radical groups to communicate.
ANTARA