The Telegram app has approximately 600 million users around the world. Despite this, it solemnly ignores the laws of the countries in which it operates, as if it came from another planet.
This is despite the frequent alerts of various entities that have pointed out that the application has become a platform that harbors terrorism, arms trafficking, drugs, pedophilia, disinformation campaigns and extremist radicalization.
In Brazil, for example, where the app has 50 million users, it has been violating an order from the Federal Supreme Court (STF) for six months and has refused to establish any contact with the country’s authorities.
The application was also taking the same stance with Germany, refusing any contact. In the European country, Telegram has become the platform used to organize attacks and actions by extremist groups. A few days ago, however, Telegram changed its stance. Despite only having eight million users in Germany, the app last week had its “daisy appeared!” in the country. Company executives had an official meeting with Home Secretary Nancy Faeser, which was described as “productive”.
Soon after, Telegram blocked 64 channels used by extremists, finally responding to a formal request from the German Federal Police. In other words, Telegram looked at Germany and thought the country was important enough for its executives to get off the pedestal — out of reach — where they pretend to dwell.
In Brazil, the TSE (Superior Electoral Court) has been trying for months to contact these same executives, without any success. This change in attitude in the European country opens a new path of action for Brazil. The TSE should immediately initiate a formal consultation process with Germany on this matter, which is of mutual interest.
It is worth remembering that bilateral cooperation relations between Brazil and Germany are strong. The two countries have a strategic partnership established since 2008. Brazil and Germany work together in several areas such as energy, science, technology and defense. In addition, they work on common international agendas, such as the expansion of the UN Security Council. In addition, Brazil is Germany’s largest trading partner in Latin America, with a trade balance favorable to Germany.
The two countries could start a new field of cooperation regarding deviant global platforms that harbor illicit acts and refuse to comply with local laws. On the initiative of the TSE, the country could establish direct contact with the German Ministry of the Interior, initiating consultations on how the European country was successful in enforcing local law (exercising its sovereignty) in relation to the application. More than that, it is possible to conceive of a broader cooperation process in which similar problems can be addressed through consultation and mutual support.
The case of Telegram shows that there is a new generation of global issues that demand institutional evolution. Expanding international cooperation is one of them.
READER
It’s over An app totally ignore the law of all countries in which it operates
Already Cooperate with the authority of some countries
It’s coming Address the issue through international cooperation
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