It is technically difficult to block Telegram in Ukraine, like any other messenger - SSU

It is technically difficult to block Telegram in Ukraine, like any other messenger - SSU

Even if Telegram is blocked on the territory of Ukraine, the ban can be circumvented using VPN and other technologies.

The head of the Cybersecurity Department of the SSU, Illya Vityuk, stated this in an interview with Ukrinform.

“Indeed, Telegram is actively used in disinformation campaigns in the Russian Federation. There are a number of already created ones and new ones are constantly being added under the guise of Ukrainian ones, supposedly understanding the internal situation in pro-government offices. But in fact, these channels are Russian, through which disinformation is specifically launched in order to influence on our people. But in principle, exactly the same activities are carried out through Facebook, and through Twitter or “X”, as it is now called. By the way, there was recently a publication that in Germany, “X” was exposed on the social network, if I’m not mistaken, 50 thousand fake bots that produced 200 thousand messages daily about how wrong and dangerous it is to continue military support for Ukraine,” he explained.

According to Vityuk, at the same time, many pro-Ukrainian patriotic channels operate on Telegram, which are public, that is, their administrators or owners are known. And they, on the contrary, counteract Russian propaganda.

“The danger of Telegram in Ukraine is emphasized because it is popular here. But it is technically difficult to block it, like any other messenger. Even if this is partially done, the ban can be bypassed using VPN and other technologies.

Even in China, where today the so-called Great Firewall of China has been built, within which Facebook and Google are banned, this is all bypassed through a VPN. Although billions are spent on the construction of this infrastructure. That is, there is no technical possibility to completely block everything,” he noted.

Vityuk noted that Ukraine is negotiating with Telegram. Therefore, there are certain changes in blocking “potentially problematic” channels.

"Some Telegram channels in Ukraine have already been blocked, some may be blocked soon. ... We regularly communicate with all platforms regarding blocking or removing dangerous content. Unfortunately, there is a problem. Meta, nor Google are not officially represented in Ukraine, do not have a legal entity, are not obliged to fulfill our requests, requirements, even court decisions do not concern them, because legally they are not located on our territory, we are working to resolve this issue. The Security Service has submitted a corresponding initiative so that all international platforms within a certain According to the law of the times, they opened their official representative offices in Ukraine, and in the future they also moved here the infrastructure serving our territory. In this case, they will be obliged to comply with the decisions of the Ukrainian court,” added the head of the Department.