Ukraine Bans Telegram on Official Devices to Combat Russian Threats

Ukraine has banned the use of the popular messaging platform Telegram on state-issued devices for government, military personnel, and employees in critical sectors, citing national security concerns linked to Russia's ongoing invasion. The National Security and Defence Council (Rnbo) of Ukraine announced the ban as a precautionary step to "minimise" the threats posed by Russian cyber-attacks. According to the Rnbo, Telegram has been actively used by Russia to launch cyber-attacks, distribute phishing schemes, spread malicious software, track user geolocation, and even correct missile strikes. "Telegram is not just a messaging app; it is a tool in the hands of the enemy," said the Rnbo in a statement on Friday. This announcement follows a high-level meeting of Ukraine's top security officials, lawmakers, and military personnel. At the meeting, Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine’s military intelligence chief, provided credible evidence of Russian intelligence agencies being able to access personal Telegram messages – even deleted ones.

While Telegram is widely used by both Ukraine and Russia’s governments and military, Budanov emphasized that the platform poses a significant national security risk. "I have always supported freedom of speech, but the Telegram issue transcends this and becomes a matter of national security," Budanov said. The Rnbo clarified that some officials whose work duties involve using Telegram would be exempt from the ban. However, the restriction applies strictly to official, government-issued devices, not personal smartphones. Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Rnbo’s counter-disinformation center, assured that government and military personnel can continue using their official Telegram pages for updates. Despite these concerns, Telegram remains a popular platform in Ukraine. A USAID-Internews survey from last year reported that 72% of Ukrainians used Telegram as their top source for news consumption. Offering end-to-end encryption, the platform was co-founded in 2013 by Russian-born Pavel Durov and his brother. However, Durov left Russia a year later after refusing to comply with demands to shut down opposition groups.

Recently, Durov, now a French citizen, was placed under formal investigation in France as part of a probe into organized crime, sparking debates about freedom of speech and accountability on messaging platforms. Durov has since claimed that Telegram boasts 950 million monthly active users as of July. Ukraine’s decision to ban Telegram on official devices reflects the balancing act between free speech and national security, especially amid the country's ongoing conflict with Russia. ⚡ ImageCredit: GettyImages