DIGITAL LIFE

Telegram is at high risk of being banned in Germany

Germany accuses the Telegram messaging service of favoring extremist groups and proposes banning it in the European Union.

The German authorities claim that the way in which Telegram provides all necessary means for encrypted communications that cannot be monitored and intercepted at its discretion is contrary to local and European law.

“Forcibly shutting down the service would have very serious implications, a clear measure to be taken only as a last resort,” Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said in an interview with German newspaper Die Zeit. Before reaching such a measure on the territory of the European Union, all other options must be exhausted, but “we cannot rule out this possibility”.

The discussion in favor of the ban The Telegram network began with more or less proven suspicions that right-wing extremists are turning to the platform to hold demonstrations against the government's policies on pandemics, protests that have degenerated into acts of violence. Authorities are also investigating alleged death threats made on Telegram against Manuela Schwesig, the prime minister of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

Although the measures to be taken against Telegram are already being discussed, the legal procedures by which the EU could ban a platform whose main purpose of activity is to facilitate free communication and without the risk of censorship or persecution is far from clear. Even balancing the common interests of European citizens in fighting terrorist and extremist groups across the EU, a brutal ban on a network like Telegram would set a dangerous precedent, paving the way for other measures aimed at restricting freedom of expression under various pretexts.

mundophone