NNA – Ukraine on Friday restricted the use of Telegram for its government, military and security officials, citing quot;threatsquot; to national security on the app founded by Russian-born Pavel Durov.
Kyiv warned that Russia may have access to personal data and messages on the app, which serves as one of the main modes of communication in both Ukraine and Russia.
quot;The National Security and Defence Council decided to restrict the use of Telegram in government agencies, military formations and critical infrastructure facilities,quot; the council said in a statement on Facebook, saying it was a quot;matter of national security.quot;
It added that employees who use Telegram as part of their duties will not be affected by this rule, as the app remains a major communications channel for the army and public authorities.
Intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said Moscow could have access to messages on Telegram, including quot;deleted messages as well as their (users#39;) personal data.quot;
He said it was quot;not a matter of freedom of speech, it is a matter of national security.quot;
Security officials also said Telegram is used by Moscow for quot;counterattacks, spreading phishing and malware, establishing user geolocation, adjusting missile strikes etc.quot;
A high-ranking security official told AFP that quot;this only applies to official communicationsquot;.
quot;It is a big source of information leaks as Telegram is very easily hackedquot; by the Russian side, the source said.–AFP
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