Telegram Ban: It came to 'remove' WhatsApp, but it itself has been banned in these 6 countries..
Instant messaging app WhatsApp is quite popular among people, but do you know that the cloud-based messaging platform Telegram, which challenges WhatsApp's 'kingdom', has often been surrounded by troubles. Even though this app has been described as the best in terms of security and privacy, it is often used by activists, opponents, and even extremist groups. Some countries have completely banned this app, which came with the intention of 'dismissing' WhatsApp.
WhatsApp Rival: Telegram is banned in these 6 countries
China
The Telegram app has been banned in China since 2015 after human rights lawyers and activists used Telegram for protests. Authorities had banned Telegram, citing national security concerns.
Iran
In 2018, Iran banned the Telegram app due to its widespread use in protests and for "misinformation". Before the ban, Telegram was the most popular app in the country.
Vietnam
In 2025, the Vietnamese government ordered a ban on the app, citing the use of Telegram to disseminate anti-state documents and misinformation.
Pakistan
The cloud-based platform Telegram has also been banned in Pakistan due to security concerns and refusal to comply with local content regulations.
Thailand
This cloud-based platform was used in Thailand for anti-government protests, which is why the Thai government banned the app in 2020.
Ukraine
In September 2024, Ukraine's Cyber Security Center banned the use of Telegram on official devices of government agencies and military personnel. This ban has been imposed due to the disclosure of military intelligence information which stated that Russian special services can access the personal messages of Telegram users. This is the reason why this app is also banned in Ukraine.
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