The Ukrainian parliament is actively considering a contentious bill that could lead to the ban of the popular messaging application Telegram over national security concerns. The proposed legislation, facing public opposition, arises from fears that the Russian Security Services (FSB) might have access to user data and that the platform allows for the spread of Russian propaganda.
Around 72% of Ukrainians rely on Telegram as their primary information source, and 75% use it as their main communication tool, including many service members and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy himself, statistics provided by Media Detector consulting firm show. This figure underscores the essential role Telegram plays in the daily lives of Ukrainian citizens, as well as its significance in the country’s communication infrastructure.
The bill has received backing from deputies across four political factions in the Rada, including several representatives from Zelenskiy’s ruling People’s Servant party. Despite its unpopularity with the public, it carries with it the concern that the FSB may potentially access information about Telegram users and that unrestricted use of the app could facilitate the consumption of Russian media and propaganda.
Deputy Mikola Kniazhytskyi of the European Solidarity party, a signatory of the proposal, appeared on Espreso TV to discuss the backlash from the public and the smear campaign against the bill’s authors. He urged Telegram to comply with content regulations similar to those of Facebook or YouTube, with the Security Services of Ukraine (SSU) already requesting the platform take action against certain users justifying the Russian invasion.
The bill stipulates that communication apps serving as information channels should conform to media regulation laws and the criminal code. It demands that such companies have representation in Ukraine, disclose shareholders, and prohibit operation if any shareholder is a Russian resident. This measure targets Telegram particularly since its founder, Pavel Durov, is Russian, though now a UAE citizen residing in Dubai.
Yaroslav Yurchishin, chairman of the Rada’s committee on freedom of speech and law promoter, expressed doubts about Durov’s independence from the Kremlin. “Probably, there is some control over Telegram on the Russian side. There is no guarantee that user information does not go to the Russian secret services,” Yurchishin commented.
Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry’s GUR intelligence services, acknowledged Telegram’s dual nature, recognizing its positive role in providing access to information in Russian-occupied territories but also its threat to national security. “Telegram is undoubtedly a problem for national security,” he affirmed.
The potential ban of Telegram is seen as a transformative shift in Ukrainian communication, considering its extensive use across all layers of society and government. From Zelenskiy’s daily messages to military communications and even unsupervised military situation reports, Telegram’s presence is deeply ingrained.
Beyond national security, the discussion of Telegram’s potential ban in Ukraine reflects a broader trend in global politics where countries, such as the United States with TikTok, are increasingly vigilant about tech platforms with ties to rival states. As Ukraine confronts this complex decision, it must weigh the protection of national security against the potential disruption to its information ecosystem and public dissent.
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