While the US seeks ways to subdue TikTok, Spain bans Telegram

TikTok is feeling the pressure: The favorite app of 170 million Americans could face a nationwide ban, but Spain has a head start.

The Spanish High Court has ordered the suspension of messaging app Telegram (via Reuters).

Popular chat services in the country have been suspended after media companies said they were allowing users to upload their content without permission – and they don't like it.

Therefore, from today Monday, the use of Telegram in Spain will be temporarily suspended at the request of companies including Atresmedia, EGEDA, Mediaset and Telefonica.

The decision was made by Judge Santiago Pedraz, who ordered the temporary suspension of Telegram services in Spain pending an investigation into the allegations. Mobile operators will be responsible for implementing the service package, according to a judicial source.

In Spain, Telegram ranks as the fourth most popular messaging platform, according to competition watchdog CNMC, with almost 19% of the Spanish population (or more than 9 million people) reporting using the application.

Telegram now has around 800 million monthly active users worldwide.

Spain EL PAIS reports on the subject and quotes Fernando Suárez, president of the General Council of Professional Schools of Computer Engineering in Spain. According to him, “it's like deciding to close a province of our country because a case of drug trafficking or theft has occurred in the territory.”

The report notes that unlike Meta (think Facebook, Instagram), Telegram refuses to share information with authorities.

According to cybersecurity expert Rafel López, Telegram is sought after for this reason: “In WhatsApp there are backdoors that the NSA and different intelligence agencies can enter. Not on Telegram. Nothing is shared there.