Telegram Refuses To Cooperate With Gov, Does Not Want To Be Politically Censored
Telegram refuses to cooperate with the Communications and Digital Ministry regarding the complaints lodged against the platform.
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Telegram has reportedly refused to cooperate with the Communications and Digital Ministry since the messaging app did not want to participate in “any form of political censorships.”
According to New Straits Times, Telegram spokesperson Remi Vaughn said the messaging app actively moderates harmful content on its platform, including the sale of illegal substances and public pornography, since its launch.
Vaughn said moderators on the platform proactively monitor public parts of the app and also accept complaints sent to abuse@Telegram.org. Content that breaches their terms of service will be removed.
However, Telegram emphasised that it would not participate in any form of political censorship.
Why is Telegram being “summoned”?
Previously, Communication and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said Telegram was invited for talks since January to no avail.
The government is considering taking action against the app due to the numerous complaints lodged against the messaging platform.
Aside from the issue of pornography and drug sales on the site, one of the complaints came from the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) regarding the sale of points to doctors on the platform.
READ MORE: Victims Of V2K Telegram Group Come Forward To Report Abuse
Doctors usually earn these points by attending conferences or workshops as part of their career progression. However, it was discovered that these points were being sold on Telegram.
If Telegram still refuses to cooperate, the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), as the regulatory body, will propose the next course of action to be taken against the platform.
Fahmi said other social platforms including Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok have been cooperating with the government so far.
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