In particular, the reason for the ban lies in Telegram chat groups that used anti-vaccinators and coronavirus skeptics to spread false information and encourage subscribers to violence.
In Germany, the Telegram messenger may be banned due to the repeated use of this platform for illegal actions. In particular, we are talking about the spread of anti-vaccination sentiments and the mobilization of opponents of vaccination.
DW writes about this.
According to the publication, the German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) on Wednesday, January 26, announced that it had created a working group to investigate messages in Telegram “containing death threats or spreading hatred.”
In particular, one of the options for restrictions will be that the government will require Google and Apple to remove Telegram from their app stores so that users can no longer install it. However, this will not affect users who have already downloaded the app in any way.
In turn, German Interior Minister Nancy Feather suggested that if Telegram does not help overcome the illegal behavior of users of the platform, the government may completely ban the messenger.
As noted, the government implies chat groups in Telegram, which included about 200 thousand participants and used some anti-vaccinators and coronavirus skeptics to spread false information and encourage subscribers to violence against politicians.
So, in December 2021, protesters armed with flaming torches used a messenger to mobilize coronavirus skeptics at the minister’s building Saxony by Petra Keppin.
It should be noted that in 2017, a law was passed in Germany requiring social networks to delete illegal content and report it to the police. However, Telegram reportedly does not cooperate with the justice or security authorities.
Recall that Belarus decided to punish not only administrators, but also subscribers of oppositional communities in Telegram. So, subscribing to Telegram channels and chats recognized by the Lukashenka regime as extremist will be punishable by criminal liability. Members of such communities face a maximum penalty of up to 7 years in prison.
