Ukraine has banned use of the Telegram messaging app on official devices used by state officials, military personnel and critical workers.
Russia Can Spy On Messages And Users
It believes that its enemy Russia can spy on both messages and users, a top security body said on Friday.
The National Security and Defence Council announced the restrictions.
Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence agency Presented Evidence
The Council acted on evidence presented by Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence agency.
Budanov’s evidence pointed to the Russian special services’ ability to snoop on the platform.
Restrictions Apply Only To official Devices
But Andriy Kovalenko, head of the security council’s centre on countering disinformation, posted on Telegram that the restrictions apply only to official devices.
The restrictions do not apply to personal phones.
A Large Number Of Telegram Users In Ukraine And Russia
Telegram is heavily used in both Ukraine and Russia and has become a critical source of information since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Ukrainian media have estimated that 75% of Ukrainians use the app for communication and found that 72% saw it as a key source of information as of the end of last year.
According to the Telemetrio database, about 33,000 Telegram channels are active in Ukraine.
But Ukrainian security officials had repeatedly voiced concerns about its use during the war.
Who Founded Telegram?
Based in Dubai, Telegram was founded by Russia-born Pavel Durov.
He left Russia in 2014 after refusing to comply with demands to close opposition communities on his social media platform VKontakte, which he has sold.
Action Against Durov
Durov was arrested upon landing in France in August as part of an investigation into crimes related to child pornography, drug trafficking and fraudulent transactions on Telegram.
Security Council Statement
The Security Council statement said Budanov had provided evidence that Russian special services could access Telegram messages, including deleted ones, and users’ personal data.
“I have always supported and continue to support freedom of speech, but the issue of Telegram is not a matter of freedom of speech, it is a matter of national security,” Budanov said in a statement.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Puts Out War Updates On Telegram
Besides President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who sits on the security council, military commanders and regional and city officials regularly publish updates on the war on Telegram.
They also report important decisions on their Telegram channels.
(With Inputs From Reuters)
