$TON TON Society Hails Pavel Durov’s Return as a Victory for Free Speech and Privacy

According to Cointelegraph, the Open Network (TON) Society has celebrated the return of Pavel Durov’s passport as a major victory for free speech, online privacy, and innovation. This follows Durov’s departure from France to Dubai on March 15, 2025, after receiving clearance from French authorities. The TON Society, a strong advocate for Durov since his arrest on August 24, 2024, has praised his unwavering commitment to transparency and freedom of expression despite facing significant challenges.

The organization previously condemned the French government for detaining Durov, calling his arrest an attack on the fundamental right to free speech. On August 27, the TON Society sent a letter urging international bodies—including the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and the European Union—to intervene on his behalf. Durov’s arrest sparked concerns within the crypto industry, with free speech advocates warning that increasing state regulation of the internet could threaten privacy and decentralized technologies.

French President Emmanuel Macron has denied any political motivation behind Durov’s detention, reaffirming France’s commitment to free speech. During a press conference, he also dismissed claims that he had personally invited Durov to France, responding to backlash from the crypto community and free speech supporters. Meanwhile, Rumble CEO Chris Pavlovski, a vocal advocate for free speech, reported his safe departure from Europe following Durov’s arrest. In an August 25 statement, Pavlovski criticized the French government’s actions, warning of their broader implications for digital privacy and innovation.