(Nairobi) – The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has instructed telecommunications companies to suspend the operation of Telegram across Kenya to address concerns about cheating during national exams. The directive was issued following reports of misuse of the platform to facilitate exam malpractices.
Users in Kenya began noticing disruptions on Telegram earlier this week, with restricted access on various networks. On Friday, Netblocks, an internet observatory, confirmed that Telegram was indeed being restricted on Safaricom, one of Kenya’s largest mobile networks, supporting earlier user reports of service interruptions. This marks the second time in a year that the Kenyan government has taken such measures, with the platform previously restricted in November 2023 for similar reasons, at an estimated cost of KSh 4.2 billion to the economy.
A letter from the Communications Authority, dated October 31, 2024, was sent to the CEOs of Kenya’s major telecom companies, including Safaricom, Telkom Kenya, Jamii Telecom, and Airtel Kenya, explaining the suspension. The CA stated that the suspension was necessary because Telegram was being used to perpetuate criminal activities, particularly exam cheating. The authority expressed concern that Telegram had not responded adequately to the misuse of its platform, unlike other social media platforms that had taken steps to address similar issues.
The CA has requested that the suspension remain in effect during the exam hours of 7:00 am to 10:00 am and from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on weekdays, with the suspension scheduled to last until November 22, 2024. This temporary measure is intended to protect the integrity of the national exams.
During the previous disruption in November 2023, Netblocks estimated that businesses in Kenya lost approximately KSh 537 million in daily sales due to the suspension. Additionally, several people suspected of being administrators of Telegram channels that facilitated exam cheating were detained by authorities.
Telegram had recently updated its privacy policies in September 2024, allowing the platform to share user information, such as IP addresses and phone numbers, with law enforcement when illegal content or criminal activity is suspected. This followed the arrest of Telegram’s founder and CEO, Pavel Durov, in France, who faced charges of criminal activity and non-compliance with court orders.
Telegram has grown significantly over the past decade and now boasts nearly 1 billion users worldwide. Its unfiltered platform has made it a popular choice for sharing content, both legal and illegal, with some groups allowing as many as 200,000 people to join. Despite offering end-to-end encryption, Telegram has faced scrutiny due to its unregulated channels where users can share sensitive and sometimes harmful material.
The tension between free speech and government regulation of online platforms continues to be a global issue, particularly in countries with increasing concerns over national security and criminal activities. While some governments view platforms like Telegram as tools for illicit activity, others are calling for greater regulation to control the spread of dangerous content.
In Kenya, the suspension of Telegram has become an annual event, despite the fact that it is just one of many encrypted messaging platforms. Exam malpractices have been a long-standing issue in the country, predating Telegram’s rise in popularity. The government’s efforts to combat this issue continue to involve collaboration with telecom companies and global platforms, but it remains to be seen how effective these actions will be in curbing the misuse of such services.