BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraq’s telecoms ministry announced that it will lift the ban on the Telegram messaging app on Sunday, following security concerns and data leaks of official state institutions and citizens. The app is heavily used in Iraq for messaging and as a platform for news and content sharing.
Several channels on Telegram reportedly contain significant amounts of personal data, including the names, addresses, and family ties of Iraqi citizens.
In a statement, the ministry explained that the decision to revoke the ban was made after the company that owns Telegram complied with the demands of security authorities to disclose the entities responsible for the leaked data. The company also expressed its willingness to cooperate with relevant authorities.
Previously, the ministry had requested the closure of platforms that leaked data from official state institutions and the personal information of citizens. However, the company did not initially respond to this request.
As of now, Telegram has not yet provided any comment in response to Reuters’ inquiry.
Reporting by Amina Ismail; editing by David Evans
Credit: The Star : Tech Feed
