Telegram’s Durov Warns of Erosion in Internet Freedom Amid Government Surveillance Push

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov issued a stark warning about the global decline of digital privacy, arguing that governments are systematically dismantling the foundations of a free internet. "We’re running out of time to save the open web built by previous generations," Durov wrote on X, framing current regulatory trends as an existential threat to civil liberties.

The remarks targeted Western democracies, including Germany, the UK, and France, where Durov claims free expression is being curtailed under the guise of child protection. His criticism coincides with EU debates over "Chat Control" legislation that could mandate scanning of encrypted messages—a MOVE he likened to dystopian surveillance.

Durov’s 41st birthday post struck a somber tone: "What began as a promise of free information exchange is becoming the ultimate control tool." The commentary underscores growing tensions between tech leaders and regulators over privacy safeguards in the crypto era.