The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has instructed local telecom companies to “suspend the operation of Telegram” as a measure to combat exam cheating.
Users began noticing restricted access to the app earlier this week on various networks, and on Friday, NetBlocks, an internet monitoring organization, confirmed the block on Safaricom, the country’s largest telco.
This latest restriction is part of an ongoing effort by the Kenyan government to control the misuse of messaging platforms during national exams.
Why It’s Happening
The CA has expressed frustration with Telegram’s lack of cooperation in curbing misuse on its platform, saying other social networks operating in Kenya have made efforts to reduce abuse.
In a letter dated October 31, the CA directed Safaricom, Telkom Kenya, Jamii Telecom, and Airtel Kenya to suspend Telegram during exam hours until November 22.
The Background
The rise of Telegram as a popular messaging platform—known for its encrypted chats and large group channels—has led to frequent conflicts with governments worldwide.
Unlike other platforms, Telegram has allowed for unfiltered content distribution and large group capacities, which have been misused in various regions.
In September 2024, Telegram updated its privacy policy to allow sharing of IP addresses and phone numbers with law enforcement when users are suspected of criminal activity.
This shift came after founder and CEO Pavel Durov’s arrest in France on criminal suspicions and failure to comply with court orders.
Bigger Picture
Telegram’s repeated bans in Kenya reflect a broader tension between global tech networks and government authorities. As geopolitical tensions heighten, tech platforms find themselves under scrutiny as potential vehicles for foreign influence.
Western countries have imposed restrictions on apps like TikTok, while countries such as Russia and China view western platforms as biased against their interests.
For Kenya, the challenge of exam integrity is ongoing. Telegram is just the latest and most popular among many platforms used to facilitate academic misconduct, which predates its existence.
Source: Kenya Wallstreet
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techlabari.com
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