SHAH ALAM – The Communications and Digital Ministry will call up the Telegram service provider soon to discuss issues involving the app, especially regarding user security.
Minister Fahmi Fadzil said although Telegram was used by many, including the National Security Council (NSC), to share information, the government would not compromise on issues of public security.
“Telegram is seen to be problematic, with all sorts of information posted there and many scams (reported). At the same time, we know it is an important channel for conveying information to the public, for example from NSC,” he told reporters after attending a town hall organised by Sinar Harian here tonight.
Therefore, he said, the ministry would discuss with Telegram to help the authorities take the appropriate action under existing laws.
“This is not only about scammers, but also pornography and extremism which need to be checked urgently from being spread through Telegram,” he said.
Fahmi said he viewed this matter seriously and hoped Telegram would cooperate with the ministry, as other service providers had before.
“I believe my ministry officials have reached out (to them), and I am waiting for feedback soon,” he said.
He said scams were a concerning issue, especially with several cases of identity theft using the platform to target prominent people.
“If even our former prime minister (Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob) could fall victim to scammers on Telegram, what more ordinary people? I view this as a pressing issue and will tackle it urgently,” he added. – Bernama, March 6, 2023
