Kenya’s Communications Authority (CA) has called on telecom providers to temporarily block access to Telegram, aiming to curb the spread of exam answers among students. In a move targeting academic integrity, the CA directed major telecom networks to restrict the messaging app during key exam hours.
On Friday, the internet watchdog group Netblocks reported disruptions to Telegram on Safaricom’s network, consistent with prior restrictions. This isn’t the first time Kenya has imposed such measures; in November 2023, a similar Telegram ban resulted in significant economic fallout, with losses estimated at KSh 4.2 billion as businesses experienced connectivity issues.
In an October 31 letter to heads of Safaricom, Telkom Kenya, Jamii Telecom, and Airtel Kenya, the CA justified the restriction, noting that while platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook have cooperated with authorities to control misuse, Telegram has reportedly been less willing to engage. The CA’s mandate is specific: limit Telegram access during exam sessions, from 7:00–10:00 am and 1:00–4:00 pm on weekdays until November 22.
A similar clampdown last year reportedly cost Kenya around KSh 537 million per day, impacting economic activities heavily reliant on digital communication. During that time, six Telegram group administrators were detained for allegedly facilitating exam malpractice through the platform.
Though Telegram updated its privacy policies in September 2024 to allow limited cooperation with law enforcement, including sharing IP addresses and phone numbers in criminal cases, the platform’s stance on user privacy and government oversight has long been a point of contention. Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, who was detained in France earlier this year, has held firm on protecting user freedoms.
As Telegram continues its rapid growth, now boasting nearly one billion users worldwide, its unfiltered content and support for large group chats have made it both a valuable communication tool and a regulatory challenge. The Kenyan government’s repeated moves to regulate the app underscore an ongoing debate between free speech and government oversight, especially as other nations, including Russia and China, navigate similar tensions with tech platforms.
While Telegram remains Kenya’s most popular encrypted messaging app, the recurring exam-period restrictions point to a broader question: how can platforms balance user privacy with regulatory compliance in a digital age where information spreads quickly and accountability is paramount?
