Messaging app, Telegram has been prohibited in Iraq, according to the country’s telecoms ministry, due to concerns about national security and to protect the privacy of users.
“The Ministry of Communications affirms its respect for citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and communication, without prejudice to the security of the state and its institutions,” the ministry said in a statement.
Iraqis frequently use the app for texting, news consumption, and content sharing.
A significant amount of personal information, including Iraqis’ names, addresses, and familial ties, may be found on some channels.
According to a statement from the ministry, it had requested that the app shut down “platforms that leak the data of the official state institutions and the personal data of citizens… but the company did not respond and did not interact with any of these requests.”
