UKRAINE BANS TELEGRAM FOR OFFICIALS OVER RUSSIAN SPY FEARS

Ukraine has prohibited government and military personnel from using the Telegram app on state-issued devices, citing concerns about Russian surveillance capabilities. The National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) made the decision after Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s military intelligence (GUR), presented alarming evidence showing Russian special services could intercept messages, even those that were deleted.

Budanov emphasized the ban is a “matter of national security” and not about freedom of speech. Although Telegram is a widely used communication tool in both Ukraine and Russia, the platform’s vulnerability to Russian spying prompted the restriction.

“I have always supported and continue to support 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 in his own statement.

After the decision was announced, Telegram issued a statement saying it had never disclosed anyone’s data or the contents of any message.

“Telegram has never provided any messaging data to any country, including Russia. Deleted messages are deleted forever and are technically impossible to recover,” Telegram said.

Despite Telegram’s assurances, Ukraine remains on high alert, with over 75% of Ukrainians relying on the app for news and communication. The app continues to play a critical role, especially as the country remains locked in conflict following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. However, the safety of sensitive information is now the top priority for Ukrainian officials.