MP Poturaev proposes to introduce military censorship and ban Telegram and TikTok in Ukraine

Attempts to pressure freedom of speech continue in Ukraine. For instance, Nikita Poturaev, a member of parliament from the “Servant of the People” party and head of the Committee on Information Policy, called for the introduction of “military censorship” and the banning of Telegram and TikTok.

He made these statements in an interview with “Telegraph.”

“Now I am forced, including as the committee chairman, to consider: perhaps it is time to introduce military censorship. Because military censorship is not only about content restrictions. It also involves additional powers,” he said.

He cited the example of the United States, where legislation has been introduced to ban TikTok, suggesting that a similar situation could arise in Ukraine.

According to Poturaev, the problem is that some social media platforms “do not want to communicate with us” and do not impose any content restrictions. He also included X (formerly Twitter) in the list of such social media platforms.

“There are no restrictions in Telegram, I can say that. They only appear when the FSB wants them,” the MP said.

Another complaint against Telegram is the publication of videos showing employees of territorial conscription centers brutally detaining conscripts. Poturaev stated, “We need to find someone who systematically (perhaps not even for Russian money, but day after day) writes that all territorial conscription centers are corrupt, they snatch people off the streets, and send unprepared people to the front.”

However, the MP clarified that there are currently no specific initiatives to ban these messengers and social media platforms.

“We are not preparing the groundwork, I am just talking about my perception of this problem. Because this bill will be very unpopular. I am well aware of that. But again, everyone should think about it. And decide, what do you want – to live under Russian occupation with Telegram, or to live in a free Ukraine, but without Telegram,” Poturaev said.

Recently, a bill on Telegram control was registered in the Verkhovna Rada. It provides the possibility of demanding the blocking of individual users and Telegram channels in Ukraine.