The Federal Republic of Somalia is the most recent nation to ban the cryptocurrency-friendly messaging app Telegram, joining TikTok and 1XBet. However, cryptocurrency investments are not banned in the country.
The Somalian Ministry of Communications and Technology (MOCT) officially announced the shutdown of Telegram, TikTok, and 1XBet on August 20.
On Sunday, MOCT Minister Jama Hassan Khalif met with the National Communications Agency and prominent Somali telecom companies to discuss telecommunications and internet security in social media.
The minister stated that the government of Somalia is “working to preserve the culture of Somali society,” as telecom and internet devices have “affected lifestyles and increased bad habits.”
The MOCT announcement reads:
“It was considered important to shut down TikTok, Telegram, and 1XBet gambling equipment, which had an impact on Somali youth, causing some of them to die.”
According to online reports, Somalia’s decision to ban TikTok, Telegram, and 1XBet is also intended to prevent the dissemination of offensive material and propaganda.
Khalif reportedly stated, “The minister of communications has ordered internet service providers to shut down the applications mentioned above, which terrorists and immoral organizations use to spread constant horrific images and misinformation to the public.”
He also stated that Telegram and other applications have been ordered to cease operations in Somalia by August 24. “Anyone who violates this order will be subject to clear and appropriate legal action,” the official reportedly stated.
It is currently unclear whether Somalia’s decision to ban Telegram and other platforms will affect the country’s adoption of cryptocurrencies. Similar to many African nations, investing in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin is not prohibited in Somalia. In the interim, many global jurisdictions argue that cryptocurrencies pose a risk of financing terrorism.
The announcement comes just a few days after Iraq’s telecom ministry lifted Telegram’s suspension in mid-August. The authority prohibited the messaging application in early August, citing privacy and safety concerns.
Authorities in Brazil temporarily suspended Telegram in April as they investigated reports that neo-Nazi groups were using the messaging platform to instigate school attacks.
According to reports, Telegram was fined approximately $186 million for failing to cooperate with an investigation into neo-Nazi activities on the forum.
