Renowned NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden has strongly criticized the French government for the recent arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov, labeling the move as an attack on fundamental human rights. Snowden, famous for exposing global surveillance programs, took to social media platform X to express his dismay and call for public awareness about the broader implications of such actions.
Snowden’s Sharp Criticism
In his statements, Snowden described Durov’s arrest as an “assault on the basic human rights of speech and association.” He specifically called out French President Emmanuel Macron, accusing him of resorting to “hostage-taking” to gain access to private communications. Snowden expressed deep concern over what he sees as a dangerous precedent, arguing that such actions undermine not only France but global standards of human rights.
“I am surprised and deeply saddened that Macron has descended to the level of taking hostages as a means for gaining access to private communications,” Snowden remarked. He urged the public to “wake up” to the growing threats against platforms that empower users to dissent, such as Telegram and TikTok.
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The Arrest of Pavel Durov
Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram—a messaging platform with over 900 million monthly users—was arrested at Le Bourget in France on Saturday. French authorities reportedly targeted Telegram due to its alleged role in facilitating crimes such as terrorism, narcotics trafficking, and fraud.
The arrest has sparked widespread concern among various public figures, who view it as a significant threat to free speech. Alongside Snowden, notable voices like X owner Elon Musk, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, and Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele have also expressed their dismay over Durov’s arrest and the potential consequences for platforms that prioritize user privacy and freedom of expression.
As of now, Durov’s fate remains uncertain. French authorities have extended his detention to 96 hours, after which they will decide whether to release him or press charges. This period will be crucial in determining whether Durov will face further legal action or regain his freedom.
The arrest of Durov has intensified the ongoing debate over government intervention in digital communication platforms, with many fearing that such actions could stifle free speech and erode privacy rights globally.
