Because Of Trivial Things, Brazil Blocks Telegram!

Telegram has failed to respond to a court order to freeze accounts spreading disinformation in Brazil. (photo: Telegram via Phone Arena)

JAKARTA - Brazil has just made a decision to ban Telegram in the country and ordered Apple and Google to also remove it from their app stores operating in Brazil.

Brazilian Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes argued that Telegram failed to respond to a court order to freeze accounts that spread disinformation.

Just like in the United States (US), Pavel Durov's messaging platform has become a hotbed of conspiracy theories and disinformation surrounding Brazil's elections. This is because right-wing supporters of President Jair Bolsonaro have flocked to Telegram.

According to reports, authorities in Brazil have been trying to crack down on the disinformation and Telegram has complied with several requests, such as when it banned a channel belonging to a US-based pro-Bolsonaro blogger earlier this year.

However, Moraes claimed Telegram was uncooperative and disobeyed local Brazilian orders. Funnily enough, Telegram reasons why it doesn't work with Brazil to avoid suspension, because the company misses emails from Brazil.

According to Durov, the company had problems with emails between the company's telegram.org address and the Brazilian Supreme Court.

"As a result of this miscommunication, the Court decided to ban Telegram for being unresponsive. On behalf of our team, I apologize to the Brazilian Supreme Court for our negligence. We can certainly do a better job," Durov said.

Durov said now Telegram will work to meet the court's request. Due to this, telecoms regulator, Anatel implemented the suspension within 24 hours, at least until Telegram cooperates with local authorities, complies with Brazilian law, and pays the associated fines.

A similar order also requests that Apple and Google help block access to Telegram in Brazil. All companies must comply within five days or face a fine of $20.000 per day.

In addition, people caught using a VPN or other means to access Telegram after being blocked will also face the same fine. This is quoted from Engadget, Monday, March 21.