Clarifying recent comments, Danilov urges de-anonymization as key strategy against risky Telegram channels

Oleksiy Danilov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC), was expanding on controversial remarks about Telegram channels that he made previously, when he implied the Ukrainian authorities might act to block the use of the messenger app in Ukraine.

Danilov asserted that the primary threat posed by a specific group of Telegram channels lies in the anonymity of their owners.

To dispel the “fog of uncertainty” and address speculation, Danilov said he wanted to “focus attention on several important points” related to the operation of new information platforms in Ukraine.

He said that a significant risk associated with certain Telegram channels is the “absence of any responsibility for the dissemination of unverified, falsified, and consciously manipulative information.”

In his Facebook post, he highlighted that the Kremlin regime extensively utilizes Telegram platforms to destabilize Ukrainian society.

Danilov said the Kremlin had been a pioneer in leveraging Telegram networks for manipulating public opinion, spreading disinformation, and engaging in activities resembling fake news.

He emphasized that the main requirement for the operation of Telegram channels would be the de-anonymization of their activities and adherence to generally accepted journalistic standards.

He said preventing threats involves promoting media literacy and continuous efforts to identify and expose cases of disinformation and manipulation. He also called for the creation of a high-quality Ukrainian information products that would establish content dominance in the Ukrainian Telegram segment.

Speaking in early November, Danilov said Telegram was a “very dangerous and vulnerable messenger” and hinted about a potential ban on the application in Ukraine.

“If we receive documents from the relevant services with the right to do so, believe me, we won’t hesitate (to ban Telegram),” said the official.

Danilov added that doesn’t use Telegram personally, saying he didn’t want to engage with anonymous users.

He said he preferred “for each nickname to transparently represent an identifiable individual.”