Ukraine has imposed a ban on the use of the Telegram messaging platform on official devices issued to 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 (Rnbo), aims to “minimize” threats from Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The Rnbo stated that Telegram is reportedly exploited by Russian forces for cyber-attacks, phishing, distribution of malicious software, and even missile strike corrections. “Telegram is actively used by the enemy,” the council warned in a statement released on Friday.
In response to these concerns, Telegram defended its position, asserting that it has “never provided any messaging data to any country, including Russia.” Despite its controversial use in both Ukraine and Russia, Telegram remains a popular platform, particularly for government communications.
The ban was ratified during a meeting of Ukraine’s top information security officials, military leaders, and lawmakers. Military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov presented evidence suggesting that Russian special services could access personal correspondence on Telegram, including deleted messages. “I have always supported freedom of speech, but the issue of Telegram is not a matter of freedom of speech; it is a matter of national security,” Budanov stated.
While the ban applies to official devices, those whose work necessitates the use of Telegram will be exempt. Additionally, Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Rnbo’s center for countering disinformation, clarified that the ban only affects official devices and not personal smartphones. Government officials and military personnel will still be able to manage and update their official Telegram pages.
A USAID-Internews survey conducted last year revealed that Telegram is the leading social platform for news consumption in Ukraine, with 72% of Ukrainians using it. Co-founded by Russian-born Pavel Durov in 2013, Telegram has gained significant traction for its end-to-end encryption features.
Durov, who left Russia in 2014 after refusing to comply with government demands, has recently faced legal scrutiny in France related to organized crime, sparking discussions on freedom of speech and platform accountability. Last month, he announced that Telegram reached 950 million monthly active users.
Following Ukraine’s allegations, a spokesperson for Telegram expressed willingness to review any evidence supporting Budanov’s claims, while reiterating that the company has never shared user data with any country. They also stated that deleted messages are irretrievable, emphasizing that instances of supposed “leaked messages” are typically the result of compromised devices.
