Telegram CEO warns of growing government control over the internet

Pavel Durov criticized laws in the UK, Germany, and EU for eroding online freedoms, citing arrests over social media posts, while defending Telegram's privacy stance amid past accusations and his 2024 detention by French authorities

On his 41st birthday, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov issued a grave warning about the future of the internet, describing a shift from an open space for communication to what he called “the ultimate tool of control.” In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Durov said the free internet, once envisioned as a platform for unrestricted information exchange, is now under threat from increasing government regulations and surveillance across the globe.

Governments Turning Internet into a Tool of Control, Says Durov

Durov’s message highlighted policies and legal frameworks in countries such as the UK, Australia, Germany, and across the European Union, which he claims are eroding online freedoms. Citing the UK’s Malicious Communications Act, he criticized authorities for arresting individuals based on social media posts deemed annoying or anxiety-inducing. He also pointed to Germany's hate speech and defamation laws, which he claims have been misused to target activists, journalists, and civil society members for actions like sharing memes or criticizing politicians.

“The world is drifting into a dark, dystopian future while we sleep,” Durov warned. “Our generation risks becoming the last to have known digital freedom — and the one that stood by as it disappeared.”

Past Arrest and Support from Elon Musk

Durov, who was detained by French authorities in 2024 for Telegram's alleged role in illegal online activity, has long defended privacy and encryption on his platform. French officials have accused Telegram of enabling crime through weak moderation, encrypted chats, and the use of anonymous tools like disposable numbers and cryptocurrency.

Reflecting on these developments, Durov said he could not celebrate his birthday, stating, “We’re betraying the legacy of our ancestors and heading toward moral and societal collapse.”

Entrepreneur Elon Musk, who has also criticized online censorship, retweeted Durov’s message without comment. Musk has previously opposed similar government crackdowns, including Durov’s arrest, calling them examples of state overreach.