Why the Philippines is considering banning Telegram

DICT Secretary Henry Aguda told a local radio station that the agency has struggled to coordinate with Telegram, which is headquartered in Russia, to enforce local laws.

He indicated that the platform is being closely monitored, and further incidents could trigger a full block.

“Illegal gambling has migrated to Telegram,” Aguda said. “If we see one more incident, I will not care who gets angry. We will block these platforms.”

The secretary stressed that child abuse and sexual exploitation are “non-negotiable.” 

He said the department has also engaged with Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to tackle similar issues on its platforms.

Where Telegram is banned

Telegram has faced restrictions and bans in several countries, including China, Iran, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Germany, often over national security concerns.

The app’s co-founder and CEO, Pavel Durov, was arrested in France in 2024 over allegations that he failed to monitor criminal activity on the platform. He is currently released on bail and remains under investigation.

In the Philippines, the DICT has previously taken action against online platforms facilitating harmful content. 

In January, it temporarily blocked the AI chatbot Grok after users were able to generate manipulated images removing clothing from women and children. Access was later restored following assurances from the developers to remove the offending tools.

Telegram’s encryption and anonymous messaging features have made it a preferred channel for illegal activities in multiple countries.

With regulators worldwide increasingly scrutinising the platform, the Philippines’ potential ban could mark another step in global efforts to hold messaging apps accountable for cybercrime.