Arthur Granz, a prominent businessman and majority owner of Forbes Ukraine, has initiated legal action against Roman Kravets, the administrator of the Telegram channel “Joker,” citing ongoing information bullying.
A statement from Artem Bidenko, head of the Institute of Information Security, confirmed that Granz has gathered direct evidence linking Kravets to the channel’s administration.
Bidenko noted the rarity of such cases, as anonymity typically serves as a key protective measure in this domain. Given that Telegram FZ LLC is registered in the UAE, the lawsuit is being processed in that jurisdiction. The court has accepted the case, and if Granz prevails, Kravets could face significant financial penalties as well as potential imprisonment.
This case is emblematic of broader issues related to accountability in the digital information landscape. Bidenko stated, “This underscores the reality that Telegram has evolved into a fully-fledged marketplace where information influence is openly monetized, yet most participants evade tax obligations. There are no contracts, no reporting, and no responsibilities.”
He pointed out that one of the primary challenges stems from the anonymity of many Telegram channels, which complicates the identification of those responsible for spreading misinformation or engaging in defamation campaigns.
Bidenko raised critical questions about the authorship of content on these channels: “Who writes these texts? Who decides whom to criticize or praise? What financial interests are behind these actions—politicians, businesses, or external players? Without transparency, there can be no accountability for falsehoods, manipulation, or defamation.”
To address these issues, he proposed several measures, including the registration of high-audience channels as entities engaged in information activities, the disclosure of advertising and paid content, and tax accountability. “First, channels with large followings—say, over 50,000 subscribers—should be registered as information entities. Second, there should be transparency regarding advertising and paid content. If a channel receives payment for a publication, readers should be informed. This is not censorship; it is basic transparency, as established by the EU’s Digital Services Act. Third, there must be tax accountability. The Telegram advertising market in Ukraine generates millions of hryvnias annually, much of which goes unrecorded. This is not just a media ethics issue; it is a matter of fiscal responsibility.”
Arthur Granz has filed a lawsuit against Telegram channel administrator Roman Kravets for defamation, shedding light on accountability issues in the digital information sector. The case highlights the need for transparency and regulation in online platforms, particularly regarding advertising and content management.