- Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, was arrested by French authorities, sparking a debate over digital privacy and government control.
- Industry leaders like Vitalik Buterin and Elon Musk have criticized the arrest and expressed concerns about its impact on privacy rights.
Pavel Durov, CEO of Telegram, was recently detained in France, igniting significant controversy and widespread support from various high-profile individuals and groups. The arrest, which took place at Le Bourget airport near Paris, has been met with calls for Durov’s release from tech industry leaders, celebrities, and political figures.
The arrest has drawn responses from key personalities in the tech and crypto industries. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has raised concerns about the effects of the legislation on digital privacy and software freedom in Europe. Buterin explains that if Durov is prosecuted for failing to moderate content or for not sharing user data, it may pose great risks to digital rights.
I’ve criticized Telegram before for not being serious with encryption.
But (given the info available so far: the charge seems to be just being “unmoderated” and not giving up people’s data), this looks very bad and worrying for the future of software and comms freedom in Europe.
— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) August 25, 2024
Buterin stressed the need to rely on open-source solutions and strong security measures for users’ privacy and against potential abuse by governments. He argued that the arrest could deter innovation and free speech in the digital age.
In response to Durov’s arrest, Justin Sun, the founder of Tron, offered to form a DAO called “FreePavel DAO” to help Durov in his legal battle. Sun has offered the first $1 million towards the fund and invites the rest of the crypto industry to contribute and support the cause.
We should show the cryptocurrency industry’s unity by organizing a #FreePavel DAO to help Telegram founder Pavel Durov legally gain freedom. I’ll donate $1 million if it’s created in a decentralized way with enough community support. @elonmusk @MarioNawfal
— H.E. Justin Sun 孙宇晨(hiring) (@justinsuntron) August 25, 2024
Elon Musk Questions Fairness of Tech Regulation
However, support for Durov is not limited to the cryptocurrency community. Elon Musk, the founder of X, has expressed his support for Durov, using the hashtag #FreePavel and voicing concerns over the growing censorship in Europe. Musk also asked why other tech CEOs like Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg have not been held to the same standard, implying that there could be unequal treatment of companies by the regulators.
#FreePavel
pic.twitter.com/B7AcJWswMs— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 25, 2024
Edward Snowden, a privacy activist, also condemned the arrest, stating that it goes against human rights. Snowden accused French President Emmanuel Macron of taking extreme measures to access private communications and said such actions could hurt France’s image and reputation as a defender of human rights.
The arrest of @Durov is an assault on the basic human rights of speech and association. I am surprised and deeply saddened that Macron has descended to the level of taking hostages as a means for gaining access to private communications. It lowers not only France, but the world.
— Edward Snowden (@Snowden) August 25, 2024
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a staunch advocate for free speech, also expressed his outrage on social media. Kennedy, who recently switched to supporting Donald Trump, pointed to the need to defend free speech in the context of Durov’s arrest.
Telegram Responds to Allegations and Defends Practices
In an official statement, Telegram emphasized its readiness to follow the rules of the European Union, such as the Digital Services Act. The company noted that its content moderation practices are consistent with industry norms and said that Durov has always complied with the law when traveling through Europe.
Telegram called the allegations against Durov “absurd” and emphasized that the company complies with legal norms and is fully transparent. The platform’s management also noted that the arrest could potentially create a negative precedent for the regulation and responsibility of digital platforms.
Additionally, Notcoin, associated with a popular tap-to-earn app on Telegram, experienced a sharp decline. The token’s value fell to $0.0090, down by over 25% from its peak last week. Hamster Kombat pre-market futures also saw a drop, falling to $0.19 from last week’s high of $0.2553.
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