Blocking for the Sake of National Security

Kompas/Lucky Pransiska

The Communications and Informatics Ministry plans to block the Telegram application to avoid it being used to spread radicalism and encourage acts of terror. Telegram application users could still use the application on Sunday (16/7).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has stressed that blocking the encrypted messaging app Telegram Messenger was undertaken in order to maintain the safety of the people and the country. The government has found thousands of data and information on the Telegram service that has the potential to disrupt national security.

President Jokowi made the statement after the launch of the Nasdem Party’s State Defense Academy in Jakarta, Sunday (16/7). The President said that blocking the messaging app was not a sudden decision because the government had been monitoring conversations on a number of Telegram channels for a long time. “We [the government] consider security important. The security of the country, the safety of the people. Therefore, the decision [to block the app] was made,” said President Jokowi.