The Federal Republic of Somalia is the newest nation to ban cryptocurrency-friendly messaging app Telegram, alongside TikTok social media app and the online-betting web site 1XBet.
Somalia’s Ministry of Communications and Know-how (MOCT) formally introduced on Aug. 20 that the federal government is shutting down Telegram, TikTok and 1XBet.
On Sunday, MOCT Minister Jama Hassan Khalif held a gathering on telecommunications and web safety in social media with the Nationwide Communications Company and main Somali telecom corporations. The minister mentioned that the federal government of Somalia is “working to protect the tradition of Somali society,” as telecom and web gadgets have “affected life and elevated unhealthy habits.”
The announcement by MOCT reads:
“It was thought-about essential to close down TikTok, Telegram and 1XBet playing gear, which had an impression on Somali youth, inflicting a few of them to die.”
Based on on-line reviews, Somalia’s transfer to ban TikTok, Telegram and 1XBet additionally goals to restrict the unfold of indecent content material and propaganda.
“The minister of communications orders web corporations to cease the aforementioned purposes, which terrorists and immoral teams use to unfold fixed horrific photos and misinformation to the general public,” Khalif reportedly mentioned. He added that Telegram and different purposes had been ordered to droop their operations in Somalia by Aug. 24. “Anybody who doesn’t comply with this order will face clear and acceptable authorized measures,” the official reportedly acknowledged.
The Ministry of Telecommunications and Know-how publicizes the ban of #TikTok, #Telegram and on-line betting platform of 1Xbet, a transfer to counter and forestall indecent actions & contents, and extremism propaganda.#Somalia pic.twitter.com/dphcpuH18a
— SNTV Information (@sntvnews1) August 20, 2023
It’s not instantly clear whether or not Somalia’s determination to ban Telegram and different platforms have any implications for the nation’s cryptocurrency adoption. In an analogous method to many nations in Africa, investing in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) is not banned in Somalia. Within the meantime, many international jurisdictions typically argue that crypto is related to terrorism financing dangers.
The MOCT didn’t instantly reply to Cointelegraph’s request for remark. This text can be up to date pending new data.
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The information comes only a few days after Iraq’s telecom ministry lifted the ban on Telegram in mid-August. The authority banned the messaging app in early August, citing private information and safety considerations.
In April, Telegram was briefly suspended throughout Brazil as authorities had been investigating neo-Nazi teams that had been reported to make use of the messaging platform to incite college assaults. Telegram was reportedly fined roughly $186 million for not complying with an investigation into neo-Nazi actions on the platform.
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