Ukraine has banned using Telegram on government-issued gadgets resulting from issues that Russia can use the app to spy on communications and observe customers, a report has mentioned. The ban was introduced by the Nationwide Safety and Defence Council after the pinnacle of army intelligence offered proof of Russian surveillance capabilities on the platform.
In response to a report by information company Reuters, Andriy Kovalenko, head of the safety council’s centre on countering disinformation, clarified that the restrictions apply solely to work telephones, not private gadgets.
The report additionally says that because the warfare between Ukraine and Russia broke out in 2022, Telegram has turn into a crucial supply of knowledge.
The Safety Council assertion mentioned Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s GUR army intelligence company, had supplied proof that Russian particular companies might entry Telegram messages, together with deleted ones, in addition to customers’ private knowledge.
“I’ve at all times supported and proceed to help freedom of speech, however the situation of Telegram is just not a matter of freedom of speech, it’s a matter of nationwide safety,” Budanov mentioned.
In response to a report by information company Reuters, Andriy Kovalenko, head of the safety council’s centre on countering disinformation, clarified that the restrictions apply solely to work telephones, not private gadgets.
The report additionally says that because the warfare between Ukraine and Russia broke out in 2022, Telegram has turn into a crucial supply of knowledge.
The Safety Council assertion mentioned Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s GUR army intelligence company, had supplied proof that Russian particular companies might entry Telegram messages, together with deleted ones, in addition to customers’ private knowledge.
“I’ve at all times supported and proceed to help freedom of speech, however the situation of Telegram is just not a matter of freedom of speech, it’s a matter of nationwide safety,” Budanov mentioned.
What Telegram has to say
Telegram has issued a press release saying it has by no means disclosed anybody’s knowledge.
“Telegram has by no means supplied any messaging knowledge to any nation, together with Russia. Deleted messages are deleted ceaselessly and are technically unattainable to get well,” Telegram mentioned.
It mentioned each occasion of what it described as “leaked messages” had been confirmed to be “the results of a compromised gadget, whether or not via confiscation or malware”.
As per Telemetrio database, about 33,000 Telegram channels are lively in Ukraine, Reuters report mentioned.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy usually publishes updates on the warfare and experiences essential choices on Telegram.
