Use of Telegram in Rada will be limited: MP reported details.

The use of the Telegram messenger in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine will be limited upon the recommendation of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.

Member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine IX convocation Yaroslav Yurchyshyn announced that he received an order regarding the implementation of new security measures for the use of the Telegram messenger in the local network of the Verkhovna Rada.

Based on recommendations of the National Cybersecurity Coordination Center, the following security measures will be implemented:

• mandatory two-factor authorization and disabling of contact synchronization;
• ban on the transfer of data used in work and official communication through Telegram;
• ban on using Telegram on official and personal computers used in official activities;
• blocking the messenger using technical and software tools, recording requests for unauthorized access to the service.

Yaroslav Yurchyshyn believes these security measures are logical, as there have already been instances of security breaches using Telegram. This will minimize risks.

It is worth noting that these restrictions only apply to staff of the Rada apparatus and do not restrict the use of the messenger for personal purposes. Telegram is also banned for use on official devices by employees of state bodies, critical infrastructure enterprises, the security and defense sector, and military personnel.

Due to the increase in offers of "work" involving arson of AFU vehicles ordered by Russian handlers, the UA AntiSpam Bot, a chatbot on Telegram, has received a new feature - automatic deletion of comments with "work" offers in channels and groups. This was done to prevent the spread of such negative activity. Users of Telegram channels and groups can take advantage of this new feature after installing the UA AntiSpam Bot.