The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) issued a public notice to shut down the Telegram messaging service in Nepal from today. This is at a time of increased alarm over an increase in cases of online scammers and criminal misuse facilitated by the app.

In a press release on its website, the NTA has noted that illegal trade occurring through Telegram had been growing all along and accordingly such unwanted crimes like cheating and money laundering have been occurring.

The notice directs all the telecom service operators and internet service providers of Nepal to block or stop provision of access to the Telegram application from the date immediate, in aid of taking technical action as and when necessary.

“Because of increasing misuse of Telegram for illegal purposes, orders have been given for banning the app with immediate effect,” NTA announced.

The move has generated unprecedented furores on the web where some of the citizens have been voicing their support for the move in the public interest and others have adopted the freedom of communications and that of punishment of the offenders.

NTA also requested users to be careful while surfing the internet and, if anything happens inappropriately, report the concerned authorities. It would provide updates later on after the implementation has been initiated.

Here is link to official notice https://www.nta.gov.np/content/telegram-app-l-b-b-a

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