- By Vikas Yadav
- Mon, 07 Aug 2023 02:16 PM (IST)
- Source:REUTERS
Telegram, a popular instant messaging app across the globe, has been blocked by the Iraqi government over concerns about national security and the data of its citizens. According to the telecoms ministry, the app mishandled personal data and the move aimed to maintain the integrity of the users.
Besides serving as a popular messaging platform, the app is also a window to news and media sharing in the country. According to Reuters, "some channels" on the app possess details of the citizens of Iraq that may range from name, address to family ties.
The ministry, via a statement, shared that Telegram has been sent a communication to close down "platforms that leak the data of the official state institutions and the personal data of citizens... but the company did not respond and did not interact with any of these requests."
Further, the statement reads: "The Ministry of Communications affirms its respect for citizens' rights to freedom of expression and communication, without prejudice to the security of the state and its institutions."According to a report by WION, in the past, the app has witnessed service pack up in countries like China, Azerbaijan and Cuba. In April 2023, Telegram was temporarily suspended in Brazil.
Coming to Telegram, the app enjoys a user base of 700 million monthly active users and is among the top 10 most downloaded apps across the world. The app uses "two layers of secure encryption": server-client and client-client encryption, according to the FAQs on the website.
Also Read: ChatGPT Restored In Italy Weeks After Facing Ban Over Data Privacy Concerns; Details
Speaking of similar cases, viral chatbot ChatGPT was recently banned (later restored) in Italy due to a lack of age limits and concerns about data mining by OpenAI to train the model. ChatGPT is among the disrupter of the AI space that forced big tech companies to deep-dive into AI.
With Inputs from Reuters
