Ukraine prohibits officials from using Telegram on state devices due to security concerns

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Ukraine has implemented a ban on government and military officials using the Telegram messaging app on state-issued devices, citing concerns about potential Russian surveillance. This decision, announced by the National Security and Defence Council, follows a presentation by Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence agency, who provided evidence of Russian special services’ capability to access messages and personal data on the platform.

The council emphasized that the ban is a “matter of national security.” Telegram, widely used in both Ukraine and Russia, has been an essential tool for communication and information dissemination since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, military commanders, and local officials frequently share updates and important decisions via the app. However, officials using Telegram for official duties will not be impacted by this new restriction.

Telegram was founded by Russian-born Pavel Durov, who left Russia in 2014 after refusing government demands to suppress opposition content on his previous platform. Following the ban announcement, Telegram stated it has never shared user data with any government, including Russia, and asserted that deleted messages are irretrievable. Ukrainian media reports indicate that approximately 75 percent of the population utilizes Telegram for communication, with 72 percent viewing it as a vital source of information.