There is no doubt that Telegram is the most controversial messaging platform of all . The app has had problems with piracy, sexual extortion and content that is dangerous to health. But despite this, Telegram continues to be one of the most downloaded applications in app stores, although this may change in Brazil.
According to news outlet Tecnoblog , the Brazilian Federal Public Ministry (MFP) has issued a letter warning Google and Apple about the risk of keeping Telegram in their app stores. With this, the agency intends to pressure the exit of this messaging application from the Play Store and App Store . But… Why do they want to ban Telegram in Brazil? Join us to discover it.
The Brazilian Public Ministry wants to ban Telegram for spreading fake news
About 60% of Brazilians have the messaging application that the MPF intends to limit in the country installed on their mobiles. And this is because Telegram is being investigated by the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) and the Supreme Federal Court (STF) who allege that the app allows the spread of fake news that can affect the 2022 electoral processes . In addition, the authorities claim that Telegram has ignored the communication attempts they have made to try to address this problem.
Given the lack of response from Telegram, the authorities see the only alternative to force it out of the main app stores . Yuri Corrêa da Luz, regional attorney for citizen rights in São Paulo, has declared that they are currently evaluating whether Google and Apple have adopted the necessary measures to prohibit apps that violate the provisions of current Brazilian legislation.
Likewise, those from Mountain View and Cupertino have been given a period of 15 days to respond to the MPF . The two greats of technology will have to justify the presence of Telegram in their application stores.
Brazil is not the only one that has studied the possibility of banning the app
The South American country is not the first to demand the departure of Telegram from its territory. Since 2021, Germany has also been studying the possibility of banning this app . This after it was discovered that there are a large number of neo-Nazi and anti-vaccine groups on the messaging platform.
Telegram is not the only Internet platform where hate messages and fake news are spread (in fact, this problem happens on all of them). However, the main problem with Pavel Durov’s app has been the lack of intentions shown by those behind Telegram to collaborate with governments . And you… Do you think this is a fair measure to stop the spread of fake news? Do you think it’s a bit radical? Let us know in the comments.
