Amsterdam Bans Telegram Messaging App Over Espionage Concerns
The municipality of Amsterdam has taken decisive action by prohibiting its civil servants from using the popular encrypted messaging service Telegram on their work phones. Citing alleged criminal activities on the app and the risk of espionage, the ban was quietly implemented in late April, as reported by radio broadcaster BNR.
According to Amsterdam IT councilor Alexander Scholtes, Telegram has been labeled as a “safe haven for hackers, cybercriminals, and drug dealers,” raising significant concerns about potential espionage activities through the platform. The Ministry of the Interior of the Netherlands maintains a list of the “most risky” apps that are forbidden on work phones, with Telegram being the latest addition.
Despite Telegram’s popularity in the Netherlands and worldwide, the Russian-born owner Pavel Durov has emphasized user privacy and freedom of expression. As the app faces scrutiny from EU officials and the possibility of increased regulation, Durov remains committed to maintaining user data confidentiality and resisting government surveillance.
With Telegram’s user base surpassing 950 million active users, the platform continues to expand, despite challenges from various governments and regulatory bodies.