Amsterdam Bans Civil Servants from Using Telegram

The Amsterdam City Council has officially banned its civil servants from using the Telegram messaging app on work phones, citing concerns over criminal activities and the risk of espionage. This rule was enacted in late April but only publicly disclosed recently. According to council member Alexander Scholtes, Telegram has become a platform for hackers, cybercriminals, and drug traffickers, raising significant security concerns within the municipality. While other municipalities in the Netherlands continue to allow the use of Telegram, Amsterdam is the only one to implement such a ban, reflecting a broader apprehension about risky applications. The Ministry of the Interior has been monitoring apps deemed unsafe, including those with potential ties to espionage from countries like Russia and China. Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, has defended the app's commitment to user privacy, despite its controversial reputation.