Ukrainian government Telegram channels are back online after being targeted

The New Voice of Ukraine
·1 min read
Telegram
Telegram

Key Ukrainian Telegram channels operated by Ukraine's Digital Transformation Ministry have resumed operation after earlier being blocked, the Strategic Communications and Information Security Center reported.

"Official Ukrainian bots, which were used to fight Russia, have resumed their work," Center’s message said.

The agency pointed out that Russians might be developing pseudobots and clones of official bots to disseminate disinformation or gather user data. Officials are advising the use of a specialized tool for verifying chatbots: dovidka.info/botcheker.

Blocking official Ukrainian chatbots in Telegram

Telegram messenger blocked the HUR bot, along with several other official bots that stood against Russian aggression towards Ukraine, without providing any explanation, in the evening of April 28.

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EVorog bot from the Statistics Ministry, the SBU official bot, the bot-coordinator for Ukraine’s South, and the anti-aircraft defense bot tracking Shahed drones were reported as blocked. Additionally, several unofficial bots have ceased functioning.

Verkhovna Rada Freedom of Speech Committee, Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, said that the blocking of Ukraine’s Special Services chatbots on Telegram is unrelated to Ukrainian authorities' criticism of the messenger for spreading Russian propaganda narratives.

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