Edward Snowden, the well-known National Security Agency whistleblower, has voiced strong criticism regarding the arrest of Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov. Snowden, known for his advocacy of privacy and freedom of speech, called the arrest a blatant violation of human rights. He accused French President Emmanuel Macron of resorting to “taking hostages” in an attempt to gain access to private communications. Snowden expressed his disappointment and concern on X, formerly known as Twitter, stating, “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.”
Telegram itself issued a statement on X, emphasizing its adherence to European Union laws, including the Digital Services Act. The company stated, “Telegram abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act — its moderation is within industry standards and constantly improving.” Telegram also stressed that their CEO, Pavel Durov, travels frequently in Europe and has nothing to hide, deeming the claims against him and the platform “absurd.” They emphasized that nearly a billion users globally rely on Telegram for communication and essential information. Telegram concluded by expressing hope for a swift resolution to the situation, stating, “We’re awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation. Telegram is with you all.”
The arrest of Durov has sparked significant reactions from prominent figures in the tech industry. Elon Musk, CEO of X, expressed his shock at the arrest, suggesting it represents a concerning trend of extreme regulation and censorship in Europe. Musk wrote on X, “POV: It’s 2030 in Europe and you’re being executed for liking a meme.” Earlier this year, Durov praised Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, now rebranded as X, for its apparent shift towards promoting freedom of speech. This praise was highlighted during an interview with Tucker Carlson, where Durov stated, “I think it’s a great development,” to which Musk responded by saying “Cool.” Additionally, Musk humorously responded to Durov’s claim of having over 100 biological children, comparing him to Genghis Khan. Musk’s light-hearted comment, “Rookie numbers lmao,” was in response to Durov’s claim of fathering children through sperm donation in 12 different countries.
