Ukraine has recently banned government officials, military personnel, and critical infrastructure workers from using the popular messaging app, Telegram, on state-issued devices. The ban was deemed necessary for national security due to concerns about Russia using the app for cyberattacks, phishing, and other malicious activities. However, Ukrainian citizens are still free to use the app on their personal devices.
The decision to ban Telegram was announced by Ukraine’s Security and Defence Council and the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre. Russian intelligence services have been accused of accessing personal messages and data of app users, prompting the ban on official devices.
The app is widely used in Ukraine for communication, accessing news, and staying updated on Russian air attacks. It is also a primary tool for Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to engage with the public and share war developments. Despite the ban on state-issued devices, Zelenskyy is expected to continue using Telegram for official communications.
Ukraine’s intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, emphasized that the issue with Telegram is not about freedom of speech but a matter of national security. The ban will not affect personal use of the app by Ukrainian citizens. However, officials and workers in critical sectors are required to refrain from using Telegram on government-issued devices.
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