Limiting Access to Specific Channels for Ukrainian iOS Users

Pavel Durov has stated that Apple demanded to limit access to specific news channels for Ukrainian users to combat propaganda.

In February 2022, Durov suggested to limit access to all Telegram channels in Russia and Ukraine because they are allegedly used for military propaganda, but after receiving negative feedback from users, he changed his mind.

Now, due to pressure from Apple, Telegram will have to hide specific channels for iOS users:

Were it entirely up to us, we would always give our users what they ask for: access to uncensored information and opinions so that they can make their own decisions. However, it's not always up to us

The restrictions are expected to only apply to users using iOS devices and a Ukrainian number. It is unknown which channels will be blocked yet.

Regional restrictions are not a new thing: Some Russian Telegram channels were already restricted for users using EU and Ukraine SIM cards, regardless of the operating system used. Those did not just restrict access to those channels, but also to messages forwarded from them.

In February 2024, the head of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Committee on Freedom of Speech, Yurchyshyn, stated that the Telegram administration refused to make contact with the Ukrainian authorities:

It all depends on whether the Telegram administration, which Mr. Durov allegedly represents, will make contact with the Ukrainian authorities and block openly manipulative channels that disseminate Russian propaganda. Now they refuse to do this. In such conditions, of course, blocking this social network seems logical.

Read news about Telegram in Ukrainian at @tginfouk for more like this.

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