Sokipiriye Dokubo
The recent arrest of Pavel Durov, CEO of Telegram, has sparked a wave of condemnation from the Telegram community, who view it as a blatant violation of human rights.
The #FreeDurov community, led by the TON Society, has issued a public letter demanding the immediate release of Pavel Durov following his arrest by French authorities on August 25. The arrest is seen as a direct attack on the principles of freedom of expression and privacy. They are calling on international organizations to challenge France’s actions.
Reports confirm that Durov was taken into custody by French police at Le Bourget Airport near Paris on the night of August 25. The French Prosecutor’s Office has cited serious charges against Durov, leading to an extension of his detention for up to 96 hours with limited communication.
Strong Opposition to the Arrest
The #FreeDurov community strongly opposes the arrest, stating it undermines Durov’s efforts to protect freedom of expression for over 950 million Telegram users worldwide. They stress that secure communication should be a basic right accessible to everyone, not a privilege. The community affirms that Telegram adheres to EU laws, including the Digital Services Act, and continuously updates its moderation policies.
The community also points out the unprecedented nature of Durov’s arrest among major social media platform leaders, raising concerns about selective targeting. They fear that French authorities may be seeking access to Telegram user communications, potentially breaching privacy and freedom of expression rights.
Violation of Rights
The #FreeDurov community is alarmed by the potential violation of human rights through Durov’s arrest. They urge France to align its laws with the European Convention on Human Rights and release Durov immediately. They call on international bodies like the UN and EU to uphold the right to liberty in the digital age, emphasizing the importance of encryption in protecting fundamental rights.