When and Where Telegram Was First Blocked: Country Blockade Timeline
Explore Telegram blockade statistics by country and the global attempts to restrict this messenger
China, 2015
Just before the blockade in the Asia-Pacific region, nearly all Telegram servers became inaccessible due to a massive DDoS attack. Telegram's technical team reported that the attack was orchestrated from East Asia. According to official Telegram representatives, it was likely "some hostile government or a very disgruntled competitor."
It's plausible that the Chinese government decided to eliminate a competitor this way and elevate their own messengers to the next level. Notably, representatives of Chinese messengers Line and KakaoTalk complained about Telegram's free stickers offering. After three days of attacks, servers returned to normal operation. However, across mainland China since then, users have been unable to create new accounts or even download the app.
Pakistan, 2017
In 2017, Pakistani users lost access to Telegram. Even direct inquiries to Telegram administrators went unanswered. Only after 14 days did Pakistan's ISP PTCL confirm that Telegram had been blocked following a court order.
The reasons remain undisclosed, with the blockade duration listed as indefinite or until further notice—effectively "permanent." The most credible explanation points to concerns about terrorists using Telegram within Pakistan, which led authorities to implement the ban.
Oman, 2014
Telegram access problems in Oman began in 2014, shortly after its launch. Users frequently experienced app freezes during login with endless connection attempts. Eventually, Telegram confirmed the service was officially blocked in Oman. To this day, users must rely on VPN services to bypass the restriction.
Indonesia, 2017
The most notable blockade occurred in Indonesia during summer 2017 in response to intensified ISIS activity. Authorities arrested conspirators planning to assassinate Jakarta's governor, who allegedly used Telegram's encrypted messenger to coordinate plans. Detained radicals confirmed they transmitted weapon-making schematics via Telegram. Indonesian police requested a nationwide ban to prevent criminal communications. As the desktop version was blocked and mobile restrictions were being prepared, Pavel Durov personally traveled to the country and met with the Communications and Information Technology Minister. By then, Durov had assembled a team of moderators fluent in Indonesian culture and language to rapidly block terrorist channels. Following these efforts, authorities lifted the blockade and cancelled plans for mobile version restrictions. This outcome isn't surprising—Indonesia remains Telegram's largest user base globally.