Crypto community rallies as Telegram founder Pavel Durov rejects EU censorship after turning down a request from a Western European government to silence conservative content ahead of Romania’s presidential runoff. On May 18, Durov reaffirmed his support for free speech and fair elections, warning that undermining democracy in the name of protecting it was a contradiction.
Though Durov did not name the country involved, his use of a baguette emoji sparked speculation that the request came from France. The French foreign ministry denied any involvement and stressed the importance of respecting Romania’s democratic process, according to a statement published by Reuters.
Support grows across crypto and tech sectors
The response to Durov’s statement was swift. Key figures in the cryptocurrency space praised his refusal to comply with the censorship request. Telegram is widely used by crypto developers, traders, and online privacy advocates, making Durov a respected figure among blockchain and technology leaders.
Industry leaders reposted Mr. Dorsey’s message, saying it offered a promising approach for platforms in political situations. Many pointed out that Telegram is a unique refuge for political debate because it has not been banned. Rumble’s CEO, Chris Pavlovski, also said he supports the claim. He claimed that more founders must resist pressure from politicians, just like Durov did. Several crypto enthusiasts added that decentralization and freedom of speech go hand in hand.
Past arrest adds fuel to censorship concerns
Since Durov was arrested in Paris, people have been worried about government efforts to control Telegram. It was announced that the arrest was related to investigations into prohibited content found on Telegram. The move led many in the crypto and tech worlds to express concern that the government imposed political censorship on the app. After the rumors, President Macron emphasized that France would always support freedom of expression. Still, his remark did not change the critics’ concerns with regard to digital rights.
He revealed that Telegram responds to proper requests from law enforcement and is represented in France by lawyers. He believed the key problem was the decision to skip the process and publish an arrest warrant. In his view, the step was necessary to support the rule of law and freedom in society.
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