Telegram Outage Affects Users Across Kazakhstan

Telegram users across Kazakhstan reported widespread disruptions to the messaging service on August 13. Messages were delayed and media files failed to load, while some users were unable to access Telegram on mobile or desktop devices. The outage monitoring service Detector404 recorded a sharp rise in reports from several regions. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development confirmed that it had received complaints and was examining them, although its initial statement did not identify the cause of the disruption. Telegram is widely used in Kazakhstan for personal communication and news, while government agencies and businesses also use the platform. The influence of Telegram channels has led officials to raise concerns about anonymous accounts and disinformation. Kazakhtelecom, the country’s largest telecommunications operator, said its network was operating normally, with no disruptions detected in its infrastructure. However, the company recorded a sharp drop in Telegram traffic at international interconnection points in Frankfurt and Moscow and asked Telegram’s administrative team for an explanation.