Ukraine has taken a significant step in enhancing its national security measures by imposing a ban on the installation of the popular Telegram messaging app on state-issued devices. The decision, announced by Ukraine's Security and Defense Council, targets government officials, military personnel, security and defense workers, as well as critical infrastructure employees.
The ban, enforced by Ukraine's National Cybersecurity Coordination Center, comes in the midst of the ongoing conflict with Russia. The Security Service of Ukraine and the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine highlighted Telegram's misuse by Russia for cyberattacks, phishing, malware dissemination, user tracking, and even missile targeting.
While the ban is comprehensive for official devices, exceptions will be made for individuals who require the app for their official duties. Ukrainian citizens are still free to use Telegram on their personal devices for communication and information purposes.
Telegram has been a widely utilized platform in Ukraine, not only for messaging but also for accessing news updates, particularly regarding Russian air attacks. It serves as a crucial communication tool for Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to engage with the public and provide updates on the conflict.
Ukraine's intelligence chief raised concerns about the security risks associated with Telegram, stating that Russian intelligence services could potentially access users' personal messages, including deleted content, and gather personal data. Despite advocating for freedom of speech, the intelligence chief emphasized that the Telegram issue is primarily a matter of national security.
The ban on Telegram installation on state-issued devices underscores Ukraine's commitment to safeguarding its critical infrastructure and defense operations amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia.
