Pavel Durov Blocked from Attending Oslo Freedom Forum — A Blow to Free Speech?
Telegram founder Pavel Durov, a long-time advocate for free speech, has been barred by French courts from physically attending the Oslo Freedom Forum in Norway — an event hosted by the Human Rights Foundation to promote liberty and human rights.
Despite the travel block, Durov will still deliver his keynote remotely. The HRF criticized the court’s decision, calling his presence crucial amid growing threats to digital freedom.
What’s more alarming? Durov claims French intelligence asked him to censor conservative voices on Telegram, specifically related to Romania’s presidential elections. He refused, saying:
“You can’t ‘defend democracy’ by destroying democracy.”
This raises urgent questions:
Are governments in the West now using the same censorship tactics we criticize in authoritarian regimes?
Should platforms like Telegram be forced to choose between national compliance and global free speech?
What’s your take?
Is Durov a digital freedom hero — or is this just another geopolitical power play?
