Ukraine has officially banned the use of the Telegram messaging app on state-issued devices for government and military personnel, as well as employees in the defense sector and critical infrastructure. This decision, announced by the National Security and Defence Council (NSDC), aims to mitigate threats from Russia amid ongoing hostilities since the invasion began in 2022.
The NSDC highlighted concerns that Telegram is being exploited by Russian forces for cyber-attacks, phishing, and geolocation targeting. Military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov presented evidence suggesting that Russian special services can access Telegram users’ personal communications, including deleted messages.
Budanov emphasized that while he supports freedom of speech, the situation with Telegram is fundamentally a matter of national security. He clarified that certain officials who use the platform as part of their duties will be exempt from the ban, which applies only to official devices and not personal smartphones. Government personnel will still be able to maintain and update their official Telegram accounts.
Despite its controversial status, Telegram remains popular in Ukraine, with a survey indicating that 72% of Ukrainians use it for news. Founded in 2013 by Russian-born Pavel Durov, Telegram has faced scrutiny over its data privacy practices. In response to the ban, a Telegram spokesperson stated that the company has never shared user data with any country, including Russia, and expressed interest in reviewing the evidence supporting Ukraine’s claims.
The decision comes amid a broader conversation about cybersecurity and the risks posed by digital platforms in conflict zones.
Philips Babatunde