Ukraine bans Telegram app on state-issued devices over security concerns – National

Ukraine has banned government officials, military personnel and other defense and critical infrastructure workers from installing the popular messaging app Telegram on state-issued devices, describing the move as necessary for national security amid the war with Russia.

The National Cybersecurity Coordination Center of Ukraine said it has issued a ban on the official devices of government employees, military personnel, security and defense personnel, and employees of critical infrastructure. The ban was announced by the Security and Defense Council of Ukraine in a statement on Facebook on Friday.

At a meeting on Thursday, the Security Service of Ukraine and the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said that Telegram is actively used by Russia for cyberattacks, phishing, spreading malware, determining user locations and calibrating missile strikes.

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An exception to the ban is allowed for people who use the app in their official duties. Ukrainians are free to use the app on their personal devices.

The app is widely used in Ukraine not only for texting but also for reading news, including updates on Russian airstrikes. It is also the primary way Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, communicate with the public and report on war developments. Zelenskyy is likely to continue using Telegram in his public communications, as it is in his official capacity.

According to the statement, Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said that Russian intelligence services have access to the personal messages of app users, including deleted messages, and to their personal data.

“I have always advocated freedom of speech and will continue to do so, but the Telegram issue is not a matter of freedom of speech; it is a matter of national security,” Budanov said, according to the statement.

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