Pavel Durov, the Russian-born founder of Telegram, has accused French authorities of leading an EU-wide effort to monitor online communications under the pretext of combating child sexual abuse material (CSAM), sparking a heated debate over digital privacy and surveillance. The legislation, known as “Chat Control,” requires digital platforms to detect, report, and delete harmful content, including messages protected by end-to-end encryption. The plan, which was recently delayed in the EU, has faced strong opposition, particularly from Germany, which raised concerns over its potential to enable mass surveillance and compromise fundamental privacy rights.
Durov, who has a long history of clashes with various governments, has criticized the French government for pushing for the law, which he claims would undermine basic rights for all European citizens. The Russian-born billionaire highlighted the risk of the legislation being used to monitor regular users rather than solely targeting criminals, arguing that the system’s loopholes could be exploited. He emphasized that the law’s exemptions for official communications would not deter cybercriminals who could easily bypass the system using VPNs or other online tools.
France’s proposed legislation, backed by Interior Ministers like Laurent Nunez and Bruno Retailleau, has drawn significant criticism from several EU member states, including Germany, Luxembourg, Austria, and Poland. These countries have voiced concerns about the precedent set by such measures, warning that they could lead to a dangerous trend of digital surveillance. Durov, who faced legal pressure in Europe over Telegram’s content policies, was arrested in Paris last year and released on bail, though he claims the case was politically motivated. He has also accused French intelligence of attempting to suppress conservative voices in Moldova and Romania, further escalating tensions within the EU.
In addition to the French government, Durov has criticized the broader EU framework, particularly the Digital Services Act and the AI Act, for enabling centralized control over information. He argues that these regulations could pave the way for greater government oversight, stifling free expression and privacy. The recent delay in the “Chat Control” proposal has allowed for further discussion, but the debate over digital rights and state surveillance is likely to continue as the EU seeks to balance security and privacy in the digital age.