FOGINT: Kenya Throttles Telegram to Protect KCSE Exam Integrity
November 20, 2024
Secondary school students in Kenya need to do well on their all-encompassing final exam if they hope to go to college. Several Telegram services have emerged to assist students through this crucial juncture—by helping them cheat on the test. Authorities caught on to the practice and have restricted Telegram usage during this year’s November exams. As a result, reports Kenyans.co.ke, “NetBlocks Confirms Rising User Frustrations with Telegram Slowdown in Kenya.” Since Telegram is Kenya’s fifth most downloaded social-media platform, that is a lot of unhappy users. Writer Rene Otinga tells us:
“According to an internet observatory, NetBlocks, Telegram was restricted in Kenya with their data showing the app as being down across various internet providers. Users across the country have reported receiving several error messages while trying to interact with the app, including a ‘Connecting’ error when trying to access the Telegram desktop. However, a letter shared online from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) also confirmed the temporary suspension of Telegram services to quell the perpetuation of criminal activities.”
Apparently, the restriction worked. We learn:
“On Friday, Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang said only 11 incidents of attempted sneaking of mobile phones were reported across the country. While monitoring examinations in Kiambu County, the PS said this was the fewest number of cheating cases the ministry had experienced in recent times.”
That is good news for honest students in Kenya. But for Telegram, this may be just the beginning of its regulatory challenges. Otinga notes:
“Governments are wary of the app, which they suspect is being used to spread disinformation, spread extremism, and in Kenya, promote examination cheating. European countries are particularly critical of the app, with the likes of Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Germany, Norway, and Spain restricting or banning the messaging app altogether.”
Encryption can hide a multitude of sins. But when regulators are paying attention, it might not be enough to keep one out of hot water.
Cynthia Murrell, November 20, 2024
Comments
Got something to say?
-
- Subscribe to Beyond Search
Feature archive
News archive
-
