Iraq bans Telegram app citing national security and data privacy concerns

Iraq's Ministry of Communications has announced the blocking of the popular messaging app Telegram.

The move comes as a response to the app's failure to address requests to close down channels that reportedly leaked sensitive data belonging to both official state institutions and citizens.

Telegram has been widely used in Iraq not only as a means of communication but also as a platform for sharing news and content. While it has gained popularity among users, some channels within the app have raised alarms due to their extensive collection of personal data, including names, addresses, and family connections of Iraqi individuals.

In an official statement, the Ministry of Communications expressed its commitment to upholding citizens' rights to freedom of expression and communication while ensuring the security of the state and its institutions. The decision to block Telegram was made after the company did not respond to repeated requests from the ministry to address the data leakage issue.