Ukrainian universities banned the use of Telegram for work purposes and on official devices

In Kyiv’s Taras Shevchenko National University, the use of the Telegram messenger has been banned on official devices.

Media outlets are publishing the corresponding order from the university’s rector, Volodymyr Bugrov.

In his order, Bugrov refers to a directive from the Ministry of Education and Science dated September 10, which designates the university as critically important for the functioning of the economy. The order also cites a decision by the National Cybersecurity Coordination Center to restrict the use of Telegram within government bodies and on critical infrastructure sites. Based on these documents, the rector has prohibited installing and using Telegram on official gadgets and computers, as well as on devices used for work purposes.

Residents of Kharkiv are reporting online that at Kharkiv National University, named after V. Karazin, faculty members have been prohibited from using Telegram for work purposes since October, specifically for communicating with students and colleagues.

In October, media reported that the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine’s parliament) continues to maintain its Telegram channel despite a statement from deputy Yaroslav Yurchyshyn that the use of Telegram for work purposes had been banned in parliament, both on official and personal devices.

Meanwhile, the National Council for Television and Radio Broadcasting stated that there is allegedly no talk of a complete ban on Telegram in Ukraine, but the authorities are looking for ways to regulate its use.