Ukrainian MP Explains Need for Telegram Verification, Rules Out a Ban.

Iryna Borzova's Statement on Telegram

According to Novyny.live: Iryna Borzova, a Member of Parliament from the 'Servant of the People' faction, has stated that Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, is not currently considering any draft laws to block the Telegram messenger. She emphasized the critical need for the verification of Telegram channels, noting the platform's widespread use among young people for communication.

The interview with Borzova took place on February 26, following a tragic terrorist attack in Lviv on February 22. In that incident, a 23-year-old police officer was killed, and the perpetrator was reportedly recruited via Telegram. Borzova expressed deep concern about the platform being used to draw young people, women, and children into dangerous activities.

'When we talk about Telegram as a communication tool, what worries me is that today it can indeed be used to recruit women, young men, and children, including teenagers, for various nefarious purposes. We all know and understand that drugs are sold through Telegram.' Iryna Borzova

The Need to Regulate Telegram

Borzova also stressed the necessity for official regulation of this sphere, which would enable law enforcement agencies to work more effectively to identify and locate individuals who break the law.

'Everything needs to be official so that even afterwards, it will be easier for law enforcement agencies to work and find those people who violate the laws, who are recruiting Ukrainians today.' Iryna Borzova

The MP stated her conviction that order and transparency must be established in this area: 'Therefore, my personal opinion is that order probably needs to be brought to this sphere; everything should be transparent.'

However, Borzova noted that banning the messenger is not a solution, as users would simply migrate to alternative social networks. 'Banning the messenger is not a way out, since people will use other social networks,' she emphasized. The importance of Telegram's operation in Ukraine has also been raised by another official, Iryna Vereshchuk.

Borzova's remarks highlight the pressing issue of online security, particularly the potential for platforms to be exploited for recruiting youth into illegal or dangerous acts. Her call for regulating Telegram channels may signal the state's intent to find a balance between freedom of information and the need to protect citizens. In the context of persistent threats like terrorism, it is crucial not only to react to incidents but to prevent them through systematic oversight of the digital environment. Telegram's role in Ukraine is complex, as it is a vital source of news and public communication, especially during the ongoing war with Russia.