Durov Criticizes the EU for “Stifling Digital Freedom”! Telegram Prefers Exiting France Rather Than Implementing User Conversation Backdoors

EU Countries Push for Regulations on Encryption Backdoors

In recent years, EU countries have frequently enacted regulations attempting to force communication platform operators to open encryption backdoors, enabling law enforcement to legally obtain users’ chat contents, igniting privacy disputes. In response, Telegram founder Pavel Durov stated on April 21 on his platform: “We would rather exit the French market than betray our users by providing personal data to the government.” He also directly accused the EU of “stifling digital freedom,” sparking widespread discussion.

Prefer to Exit France than Betray Users

Durov expressed his opposition on April 21 on Telegram to the EU and French government’s request for mandatory encryption backdoors for communication platforms, allowing government entities to bypass encryption mechanisms to read users’ chat contents. He emphasized, “Telegram would rather exit the market than compromise due to government pressure, and will never infringe on basic human rights.” Durov also subtly criticized other competitors for sacrificing user privacy for market share, asserting that Telegram will firmly protect user data and will not back down.

Durov’s latest remarks vehemently criticized the EU for stifling digital freedom and attempting to force companies to open backdoors for user data access.

Why Oppose Encryption Backdoors? Durov: Not Just for Governments, Hackers Can Use Them Too

Durov pointed out that the technical risks of encryption backdoors lie in:

• Once such a mechanism is established, hackers, spies, or criminal groups could potentially invade, compromising user data security.

He also cautioned that even if the government forced platform operators to open backdoors, those with malicious intent would simply turn to other obscure messaging applications or use VPNs, making it even more difficult for the police to investigate, effectively punishing law-abiding users.

Telegram Emphasizes Never Leaked Conversation Contents, Only Complies with Court Orders for IP and Phone Numbers

Durov specifically explained that although Telegram complies with court orders in specific jurisdictions like the EU to reveal IP locations and phone numbers of users involved in criminal activity, “Since its establishment 12 years ago, Telegram has never handed over any private messages related to users.” He also urged the public to continue lobbying the government to defend encryption technology, as it is not only a tool for protecting privacy but also the last line of defense against surveillance and harassment.

Despite French Parliament Rejecting Proposal Last Month, EU Advances ProtectEU Legislation

Although the French Parliament rejected a proposal in March that allowed secret access to private messages, Durov emphasized that this battle is not over. He cited the “ProtectEU” proposal put forward by the EU Commission in early April, aiming to establish a legal framework for accessing communication data by 2026. This proposal has already faced criticism from some European lawmakers and privacy groups, with Finnish EU lawmaker Aura Salla pointing out that it fundamentally undermines the cybersecurity principles originally advocated by the EU.

Finnish EU lawmaker Salla criticized the “ProtectEU” proposal on LinkedIn.

Durov Facing Legal Action in France, Risking 10 Years in Prison and Fines Exceeding 5 Million TWD

At the same time that Durov made his public statements, he is under investigation by French authorities, as prosecutors accuse Telegram of providing a platform for illegal transactions and criminal activities. If convicted, he could face 10 years in prison and a fine of 500,000 euros. According to previous reports, Durov has already left France, and the case is still under investigation.

The Clash Between Digital Freedom and State Regulation is Not Over

Durov’s statements once again highlight the escalating contradictions surrounding “national security” and “digital privacy.” On one side, the government demands regulation under the pretext of counter-terrorism and crime prevention, while on the other side, tech operators and users defend encryption and privacy freedoms. Achieving a true balance will undoubtedly require long-term dialogue and institutional adaptation.

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