September 20, 2024 at 01:39PM
Ukraine’s National Coordination Centre for Cybersecurity has restricted the use of Telegram messaging app due to national security concerns, particularly its security risks in the ongoing war with Russia. This includes concerns over Russian intelligence accessing user data. The ban applies to government, military, and critical infrastructure personnel, while ordinary users remain unaffected.
Key Takeaways from the Meeting Notes:
– The Ukraine National Coordination Centre for Cybersecurity (NCCC) has imposed restrictions on the use of the Telegram messaging app within government agencies, military units, and critical infrastructure due to national security concerns.
– The decision to restrict Telegram was announced during a meeting on September 19, with a focus on the app’s security risks connected to the conflict with Russia.
– The meeting was led by Oleksandr Lytvynenko, Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council, who emphasized countering cyber threats to strengthen national security.
– Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence, highlighted the potential for Russian intelligence services to access Telegram users’ data and messages, emphasizing the national security threat posed by the app.
– The NCCC’s ban on Telegram applies to official devices used by government, military, security, defense sector employees, and critical infrastructure personnel, except for those with specific duties requiring its use.
– Despite the ban, Telegram will continue to be widely used by ordinary users for communication and news dissemination, including updates on Russian airstrikes.
– Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, are likely to continue using Telegram in their public communications due to its extensive reach among Ukrainians.
– Pavel Durov, Telegram’s founder and CEO, previously left Russia due to disagreements with the government and was recently arrested in France in connection with a probe into the use of Telegram for illegal activities, subsequently being released on bail but with travel restrictions.
These takeaways provide a clear summary of the key points discussed during the meeting regarding the restrictions on Telegram, the reasoning behind the ban, and the potential implications for both official and public communication in Ukraine.