Ukraine bans Telegram on state and military devices

Ukraine has banned the Telegram messaging app on official devices used by state and security officials, military personnel and employees of critical infrastructure facilities. The decision came amid concerns that the Russia-founded app poses a threat to Ukraine’s national security.

According to Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s defense intelligence, officials assessed that Russian special services could have access to the personal data of Telegram users, as well as their correspondence and deleted messages.

"I have always stood up and continue to stand up for 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 during a meeting of Ukraine’s security officials on Friday.

The new Telegram restrictions are limited to official devices used by individuals employed in state, defense or other critical sectors. The ban doesn’t apply to those who use the messenger as part of their official duties, according to Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council (NSDC), which did not provide further details.

In a statement on Friday, the NSDC said that Telegram is “actively used by the enemy” to launch cyberattacks, spread phishing messages and malicious software, identify users’ geolocation, and gather information that helps the Russian military target Ukraine’s facilities with drones and missiles.

Telegram has come into the spotlight at a time when its founder, Russia-born Pavel Durov, is being formally investigated in France for a range of offenses, including complicity in facilitating the distribution of child pornography and drug sales on the platform.

Telegram is widely popular in Ukraine — both among state officials and ordinary users. For the majority of Ukrainians, the app remains the main source of news; they also use it to receive notifications about Russian drone strikes and missiles, as well as to report possible Russian spies and the movement of the enemy’s military equipment to state officials.

The discussion about blocking or limiting Telegram in Ukraine has been ongoing for about a year. Ukrainian state officials, despite using the app extensively to release news and statements, have previously warned Ukrainians about Telegram’s privacy concerns.