Telegram to block terror content in Indonesia

Jakarta, July 16: Encrypted messaging service Telegram will shut down “terrorist-related” public channels, its founder said on Sunday, after Indonesia’s government blocked access to the platform citing security concerns.

Indonesia, home to the world’s largest Muslim population, has seen a resurgence in homegrown radicalism, and has stepped up cooperation with its neighbours to stem a growing presence in Southeast Asia of extremist group Islamic State.

On Friday, Indonesian authorities blocked all access to Telegram, saying it had several forums that were “full of radical and terrorist propaganda”.

Pavel Durov, founder of the messaging app, said in on Telegram that there had been a “miscommunication” with Indonesian authorities, as he was not aware of a request by the government to take down certain channels.

“Telegram is heavily encrypted and privacy-oriented, but we’re no friends of terrorists,” Durov said on his Telegram channel, adding he was “upset” over Indonesia’s ban.

He said that since the ban, Telegram had taken steps to block certain channels reported by the Indonesian government to carry terrorism-related content. Indonesian President Joko Widodo said on Sunday that other social media platforms will not be affected by the government’s latest move.