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Vietnam Orders Block on Telegram Over Crime, Anti-State Content Allegations

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Vietnam’s Ministry of Information and Communications has instructed telecommunication providers to block access to the Telegram messaging app, citing the platform’s alleged failure to cooperate in investigations into criminal activity and anti-state operations.

The directive, dated May 21 and signed by the deputy head of the telecom department, mandates Vietnamese telecom operators to “deploy solutions and measures to prevent Telegram’s activities” and report progress by June 2.

Authorities claim that 68% of the 9,600 Telegram channels and groups active in Vietnam have violated national laws, pointing to incidents of fraud, drug trafficking, and suspected terrorism-related content. Officials also accused Telegram of refusing to share user data when requested as part of ongoing criminal probes.

Telegram Responds

Telegram, which has close to 1 billion global users, expressed surprise at the allegations. A company spokesperson told Reuters:

“We have responded to legal requests from Vietnam on time… We received a formal notice this morning regarding a standard service notification procedure under new telecom regulations. The deadline for our response is May 27, and we are processing the request.”

Despite the government’s order, Telegram remained accessible in Vietnam as of Friday.

Crackdown on Online Content

Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party, known for its tight grip on media and limited tolerance for dissent, has stepped up demands on global tech firms to cooperate with state censorship policies. The country has previously pressured platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Google, and TikTok to remove content deemed “toxic” or “anti-state.”

The government’s document also accused Telegram of enabling opposition groups to organize and spread anti-government propaganda, with “many groups with tens of thousands of participants” allegedly created by what it called “reactionary subjects.”

Broader Context

Telegram has faced scrutiny globally for its perceived lack of content moderation. In France, founder Pavel Durov was briefly detained last year amid similar concerns over security and data transparency.

The timing of Vietnam’s move also comes ahead of an official visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to Hanoi on Sunday, potentially adding diplomatic nuance to the unfolding situation.

Austrian Mayor Shot Dead in Hunting Dispute; Suspect on the Run

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A manhunt is underway in northern Austria after two individuals, including Franz Hofer, the mayor of Kirchberg ob der Donau, were shot and killed, reportedly over a hunting dispute. The shooting occurred in the village of Altenfelden in Austria’s rural Mühlviertel region, close to the borders with Germany and the Czech Republic.

Authorities have identified Roland Drexler, 56, as the prime suspect. Following the killings, Drexler fled the scene in a Volkswagen Caddy, leading police to issue a warning that he is heavily armed and extremely dangerous. Upper Austria police, alongside special forces and helicopters, are actively searching for the suspect.

The incident appears to have stemmed from a prolonged disagreement over hunting rights, though it remains unclear why the conflict escalated so violently. Locals in the hunting community were familiar with Drexler, describing him as “a difficult person,” according to Kronen Zeitung, an Austrian news outlet.

The news has stunned the regional headquarters of the People’s Party (ÖVP) in Linz, with state party leader Florian Hiegelsperger describing the event as “madness.” Herbert Sieghartsleitner, state hunting master, expressed his disbelief, stating, “I am deeply shocked by what has happened. I knew Franz Hofer very well personally.”

Son of Spanish Actor Rodolfo Sancho Sentenced to Life in Thai Prison for Murder

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Daniel Sancho, the son of well-known Spanish actor Rodolfo Sancho, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a Thai court for the murder and dismemberment of Colombian plastic surgeon Edwin Arrieta Arteaga. Sancho, a chef and YouTube content creator, committed the crime last year at a resort on the island of Koh Phangan.

Sancho admitted to killing Arrieta following a dispute in a hotel room, dismembering his body, and disposing of the remains in plastic bags around the island. Despite facing the possibility of the death penalty, the court reduced his sentence to life in prison, recognizing his cooperation during the trial.

Sancho’s legal team plans to appeal the sentence, while the court found him guilty of premeditated murder, concealment of a body, and destruction of documents. Evidence presented in court showed that Sancho had made preparations for the crime, buying items such as knives, gloves, and plastic bags before the murder.