Telegram’s National Security Concerns: The messaging service Telegram was stopped for reasons related to national security. According to a statement made by the Iraqi Ministry of Communications on Sunday, August 6. According to the message, this limitation was put in place to safeguard the accuracy of users. Regarding private information that the app may have utilised improperly.
The Ministry of Communications stated in its announcement that this ban was put in place in response to suggestions from “higher authorities” to uphold national security. They said that the communications platform had engaged in illegal safety violations. The statement criticised Telegram for ostensible inaction in response to requests for assistance, noting:
The company in charge of managing the aforementioned application has been repeatedly asked by the related state institution. In order to assist in shutting down the platforms that allow information from official state institutions and citizen personal data to leak, endangering the social standing and national security of Iraq. However, the company has not responded to any of these requests.
Final Statement on Telegram’s National Security Concerns
In its final statement, the Ministry of Communications stated that it respects citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and communication without compromising the security of the government and its institutions and that it is certain that the public will comprehend this move.
The widely used encrypted instant messaging platform Telegram is used by local politicians, government officials, and media outlets. The following information was reported in the media: The app has also been linked to local militia activity;
According to experts, the app was essential in enabling some paramilitary organisations to publicise their attacks, including ones against military installations housing coalition forces battling ISIS remnants.
This limitation on free speech in cyberspace carries on a recent pattern in the field. Among the foreign organisations who released a Joint Statement on the topic of free speech in Iraq in March were Amnesty foreign and Human Rights Watch. They debated the following:
The right to freedom of expression is acknowledged as a fundamental human right under international human rights law, notably Article 19 of the ICCPR, which Iraq has ratified. The history of the Iraqi government’s suppression of the freedoms of speech and peaceful assembly is reprehensible […] On social media, Iraqis should be able to express themselves freely. International human rights law protects these actions, and Iraqi authorities are required to uphold it.
Although Telegram has not officially addressed the ban, the social media platform is anticipated to issue a formal comment.
