In Ukraine, there is growing concern over a new messenger called Telega, developed in Russia. This Telegram client, according to experts, operates on the infrastructure of VK and the state messenger MAX, which are entirely controlled by the Russian government. This was reported by the Center for Counteracting Disinformation under the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.
"Telega is marketed as a means to bypass call blocks, but in reality, it serves as a tool for state monitoring. It allows tracking of communications and collection of personal data such as IP addresses and phone numbers," the report states.
Moreover, the application’s code contains a function to activate a “blacklist” of channels, enabling censorship of information. This indicates yet another tool for control and surveillance over citizens.
Experts note that the Russian state, by using Telega, is attempting to deceitfully infiltrate the smartphones of its citizens under the guise of “bypassing censorship.” Step by step, Russia is building a “digital concentration camp” where even the attempt to maintain privacy can turn into a trap.