NEWS
“In the End, Freedom and Truth Will Prevail” — Telegram Founder, Pavel Durov Speaks Out on French Investigation
Telegram founder Pavel Durov has renewed his criticism of what he described as growing political pressure on his messaging platform, declaring that freedom and truth would ultimately prevail amid an ongoing investigation by French authorities.
Durov reflected on his detention in Paris two years ago, when he was held by police for three days the maximum period authorities could reportedly detain him before formally charging him.
The Telegram founder described the case as unprecedented, arguing that French authorities had taken the unusual step of accusing the head of a major technology platform over alleged crimes committed by some of its users.
Two years later, Durov said the investigation remains ongoing, but insisted that its justification appears increasingly questionable.
According to him, evidence gathered over time has shown that Telegram was neither worse than other major online platforms in moderating harmful content nor less cooperative with law enforcement authorities.
Durov questioned why Telegram appeared to have been singled out, suggesting that the platform had faced pressure in several countries to grant political demands that could involve censorship or surveillance.
He alleged that when Telegram refuses such requests, campaigns are launched against the platform through sections of the media and non-governmental organisations, portraying it as a hub for serious criminal activities, including child sexual abuse material and terrorism.
According to Durov, the aim of such campaigns is to create public support for restrictions or persecution against platforms that resist political interference.
He further alleged that government officials often appear particularly concerned about online crime and child protection when dealing with platforms that reject secret political demands, while other platforms that cooperate may receive less scrutiny.
Durov also raised questions about whether the French investigation against him could be politically motivated, saying the circumstances surrounding the case fit a pattern he claimed to have observed in other countries.
He argued that the situation could eventually lead to greater scrutiny of the investigation itself, particularly amid growing debates over free speech and government regulation of social media in France.
Durov pointed to a recent decision by France’s Constitutional Council, which struck down a proposed social media ban targeting children under the age of 15 on freedom-of-expression grounds.
The Telegram founder concluded his message with a defiant expression of confidence that the pressure facing the platform would not last forever.
For Durov, the battle surrounding Telegram has become part of a wider struggle over censorship, surveillance, political influence and freedom of expression.
And despite the investigation, public criticism and mounting pressure, he remains convinced of one thing: in the end, freedom and truth will prevail.