Michaela
Telegram founder Pavel Durov has been denied permission to travel to Norway by a French court, preventing him from attending the Oslo Freedom Forum, where he was scheduled to speak at a global gathering of human rights activists.
According to a blog post by the Human Rights Foundation (HRF), a nonpartisan nonprofit organization, Durov had been invited to deliver a keynote address on May 27, focusing on issues of free speech, surveillance, and digital rights.
In addition to the scheduled speech, HRF and Durov had arranged a series of sideline meetings with humаn rights defenders from authoritarian regimes to explore ways Telegram’s technology could better support their work moving forward.
“It is unfortunate that French courts would block Mr. Durov from participating in an event where his voice is so needed,” HRF founder and CEO Thor Halvorssen stated. “Technologies like Telegram are basic tools for those resisting tyranny. This is more than a disappointment for our community; it is a setback for freedom,” he added.
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In August 2024, Pavel Durov was indicted on six charges following his arrest at a French airport. He remains under strict judicial supervision and is prohibited from leaving France without prior authorization.
Strains in relations have grown after Durov publicly accused French officials of pressuring him to censor conservative contеnt on Telegram during Romania’s presidential election.
In a post on X, Durov disclosed that Nicholas Lerner, the head of French intelligence, urged him to block “conservative voices” in Romania prior to the elections—a request Durov decisively rejected. “We did not restrict protesters in Russia, Belarus, or Iran. We will not begin doing so in Europe,” Durov stated firmly.
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Earlier this month, Telegram took action to remove thousands of channels linked to the Chinese-language marketplaces Xinbi Guarantee and Huione Guarantee, as reported by blockchain analytics company Elliptic. Linked to illicit transactions totaling over $35 billion, these Telegram-based platforms have primarily involved the stablecoin Tether (USDT).
As scrutiny over encrypted platforms grows, Durov faces mounting pressure to balance usеr privaсy with regulatory demands, emphasizing the complex challenges Telegram must navigate in today’s digital landscape.
Read More
- Telegram May Exit EU Markets Over Encryption Backdoor Demands
- Telegram Responds After CEO Pavel Durov Detained in France
- Telegram Updates Privacy Policy After Durov’s Arrest in France
MICHAELA
Michaela is a news writer focused on cryptocurrency and blockchain topics. She prioritizes rigorous research and accuracy to uncover interesting angles and ensure engaging reporting. A lifelong book lover, she applies her passion for reading to deeply explore the constantly evolving crypto world.
