Government suspends Telegram services in Kenya
The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has announced a temporary suspension of cloud-based messaging app, Telegram
The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has announced a temporary suspension of cloud-based messaging app, Telegram.
In a letter addressed to Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa, Airtel Managing Director Ashish Malhotra, Telkom CEO Mugo Kibati and Jamii Telecommunications CEO C.K. Joshua, CA said the messaging App was being used for criminal activities.
In the later dated October 31, 2024, CA explained that it had received requests to take down social media channels and forums being used to compromise the integrity of the ongoing exams.
“It has come to the attention of the Authority that the Telegram platform is being misused to perpetrate criminal activities, including compromising on the integrity of the ongoing national examinations. As a result, various government agencies have reached out to the Authority seeking assistance in taking down social media channels and forums, including Telegram, that are interfering with the integrity of our national examinations.
“Whereas all other social media platforms operating in Kenya have taken steps to address misuse of their platforms, we note with dismay that Telegram Inc. has remained non-responsive and continues to host offending forums and channels in blatant breach of the laws of the land and the general principles of Data Protection and Privacy,” part of the statement read.
Adani cuts power supply in Bangladesh over Ksh.100 billion debt
Kenyan journalist lands plum job at BBC
Kenyan Football Coach gets life sentence plus addition of 110 years for defiling players
KRA issues clarification over insurance relief on SHIF contributions
High Court suspends FKF elections
Man hacks daughter to death after quarrel with wife
CA directed all mobile network operators to suspend the operation of Telegram during the ongoing Kenya Certificate of Secondary School (KCSE) examinations.
“By this letter, all Mobile Network Operators are hereby directed to use all available mechanisms to suspend the operation of Telegram Inc in the country particularly during the administration of the KCSE examinations from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in the morning and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the afternoon from Monday to Friday up to until November 22nd, 2024.,” the letter concluded.
For the better part of Friday, Kenyans have complained of significant issues accessing Telegram, with many reporting experiencing intermittent outages.
As such, users are resorting to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to bypass the restrictions.
Also read,
Eugene Wamalwa calls for withdrawal of Kenyan police from Haiti after Trump’s win
Government issues total ban on farming and grazing in all natural forests
Concerns after more than 40 monkeys escape from a research lab in US
Maverick Aoko breaks silence after going missing for weeks
DCI arrests prime suspect in sexual assault of Mombasa blogger
Follow us
