The Iraqi Ministry of Communications announced that it has banned the messaging app Telegram due to national security concerns and to protect the personal data of users in the country. The ministry stated in a statement published by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that "the blocking of the Telegram app was based on directives from higher authorities related to national security and to safeguard the personal data of citizens, which the app has violated contrary to the law."
The app is widely used in Iraq for messaging, as well as being a source for news and content sharing. Some channels contain a vast amount of personal data, including names, addresses of Iraqi users, and their family links.
The ministry's statement noted that it had "repeatedly requested the concerned company managing the app to cooperate in closing platforms that cause leaks of official state institution data and personal data of citizens, which poses a threat to Iraqi national security and social peace; however, the company did not respond or engage with any of those requests."
The statement also emphasized that "the ministry respects citizens' rights to freedom of expression and communication without compromising the security of the state and its institutions."
The company responsible for managing the app has not yet responded to a request for comment sent via email.
