Telegram founder Pavel Durov stated he rejected stress from a European Union (EU) nation to censor political content material on the social media platform forward of the Could 18 presidential elections in Romania.
Based on Durov, a Western European authorities, which he hinted at with a baguette emoji, approached the platform and requested it censor conservative voices, which he flatly denied. Durov wrote in a Could 18 Telegram publish:
“You may’t ‘defend democracy’ by destroying democracy. You may’t ‘combat election interference’ by interfering with elections. You both have freedom of speech and honest elections — otherwise you don’t. And the Romanian folks deserve each.”
The Telegram founder is an ardent defender of free speech, who is extremely regarded within the crypto neighborhood for his stances on freedom of expression, autonomy, privateness, and particular person liberty.
Associated: Pavel Durov says Telegram would exit markets earlier than betraying customers
Durov thrust into the highlight following arrest in France
Pavel Durov was arrested in France in August 2024, sparking widespread condemnation from the crypto neighborhood and free speech advocates worldwide, who accused the French authorities of orchestrating a politically-motivated arrest.
French President Emmanuel Macron denied the arrest was political whereas claiming the French authorities was “dedicated to freedom of expression and communication” in an August 26 X publish.
“You may’t hold founders personally liable, and cost them as much as 20 years, for not moderating speech, and on the similar time declare you might be deeply dedicated to freedom of expression,” Helius Labs CEO Mert Mumtaz wrote in response to Macron.
Shortly after Durov’s arrest, Chris Pavlovski, the CEO of Rumble — a free speech on-line video platform — introduced that he safely departed the European Union after France threatened Rumble.
The CEO additionally criticized the French authorities for the arrest of the Telegram co-founder, characterizing it as an try and stress him into censoring speech on the platform.
Durov maintains that Telegram complies with lawful info requests made by legislation enforcement officers and stated that the corporate has a authorized consultant in France who handles such requests.
The Telegram co-founder additionally criticized the French authorities for bypassing the authorized consultant and selecting to problem an arrest warrant as an alternative.
Journal: Did Telegram’s Pavel Durov commit against the law? Crypto legal professionals weigh in