The Federal Republic of Somalia has taken a stance in line with several other nations by prohibiting the cryptocurrency-friendly messaging app Telegram, alongside the TikTok social media platform and the online betting site 1XBet.
The country’s Ministry of Communications and Technology (MOCT) officially declared on August 20 its decision to shut down these platforms.
Jama Hassan Khalif, the MOCT Minister, chaired a significant meeting involving the National Communications Agency and key Somali telecommunications companies to address telecommunications and internet security issues related to social media.
Khalif emphasized that the government of Somalia aims to safeguard the cultural fabric of Somali society as the pervasive influence of telecommunications and internet devices has begun to adversely impact lifestyles and promote detrimental habits.
The MOCT statement elaborated on the decision, stating, “It was considered important to shut down TikTok, Telegram and 1XBet gambling equipment, which had an impact on Somali youth, causing some of them to die.”
The move is also seen as a step to curb the proliferation of inappropriate content and propaganda.
Khalif’s assertion that these platforms are exploited by “terrorists and immoral groups” to disseminate disturbing visuals and misinformation to the public underscores the urgency of the decision.
He further directed Telegram and other applications to suspend their operations within Somalia by August 24. Non-compliance with this directive, he warned, would lead to legal consequences.
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The ban, announced by the Ministry of Telecommunications and Technology, is designed to counter and prevent indecent activities, harmful contents, and the spread of extremist propaganda.
The motivation behind this move remains focused on protecting the well-being of the nation’s youth and preserving cultural values.
Although the ramifications of Somalia’s ban on platforms like Telegram for its cryptocurrency adoption remain unclear, the country’s stance does not appear to directly affect the use of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), which is not prohibited within Somalia.
However, the debate over the association of cryptocurrencies with potential terrorism financing risks remains ongoing in global jurisdictions.
This development comes on the heels of Iraq’s decision to lift the ban on Telegram in mid-August after initially imposing it due to concerns about personal data security.
Similarly, in Brazil, Telegram faced a temporary suspension in April due to investigations into the platform’s use by neo-Nazi groups for inciting violent actions.
The platform faced substantial fines for non-cooperation in the investigation of such activities.
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