Ukraine has announced a ban on the use of the Telegram messaging app on official devices used by government officials, military personnel, and critical workers. This decision, made by the National Security and Defense Council, follows claims by Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence agency, that Russian special services have the capability to monitor Telegram messages, including deleted ones, and access personal data of users.
The council clarified that the restrictions are limited to official devices and do not extend to personal phones. Despite its popularity in Ukraine—where approximately 75% of the population reportedly uses the app for communication—Ukrainian security officials have raised ongoing concerns about the potential risks associated with its use during the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Telegram, founded by Russian-born Pavel Durov, has been a critical information source since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In response to the ban, Telegram stated that it has never shared user data or message contents with any government, including Russia, and emphasized that deleted messages are permanently erased.
Budanov highlighted the dilemma of balancing freedom of speech with national security concerns, reiterating that the issue with Telegram transcends free speech considerations. The app remains widely used by Ukrainian officials and military leaders for updates on the war and other important communications.
0 Comments