Kyiv, Sep 21 (V7N) — The Ukrainian government has imposed a ban on the use of the Telegram messaging app by government and military officials on state-issued devices, citing concerns that Russia could exploit the platform for intelligence gathering and surveillance.

The decision came after Kirill Budanov, head of Ukraine's GUR military intelligence agency, presented an intelligence report on Telegram to the National Security and Defense Council. Following the report, the council implemented restrictions on the app on Friday.

A government statement outlined that this decision was made in the interest of national security. With few exceptions, Telegram will no longer be allowed for government or military purposes.

Telegram, which is widely used in both Ukraine and Russia, has become a crucial platform for information dissemination since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other officials have often used the app to provide regular updates and share important announcements.

However, officials using Telegram as part of their state duties will not be affected by the ban, allowing them to continue using the app for official communications when required.

The app's founder, Pavel Durov, a Russian-born entrepreneur with dual French and Emirati citizenship, has faced legal challenges in Europe. He was arrested in France in August as part of an investigation into criminal activities on Telegram. Authorities claim that the app lacks sufficient moderation and cooperation with law enforcement.

Telegram has stated that it complies with European Union regulations, including the Digital Services Act, and continues to enhance its platform. The company has denied any allegations of wrongdoing by Durov or the app itself.

Despite previous accusations from countries in the US and EU regarding data leaks and surveillance linked to Telegram, no conclusive evidence has yet been presented.

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