Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Slams French Encryption Backdoor Bill: A Threat to Your Digital Privacy and Security

EddieJayonCrypto

 21 Apr 25

tl;dr

Telegram founder Pavel Durov criticized the French government's attempt to ban encryption by requiring messaging apps to include backdoors for law enforcement access. He praised the National Assembly for blocking the bill, warning that backdoors weaken security and infringe on digital privacy. Durov...

Telegram founder Pavel Durov has strongly condemned proposed French legislation that would mandate encryption backdoors in messaging apps, warning that such measures pose a serious threat to digital privacy and security.

Durov applauded the French National Assembly for blocking the bill, which would have forced apps like Telegram to provide law enforcement with access to private messages through backdoors. He argued that these backdoors weaken overall security by creating vulnerabilities exploitable by foreign governments and cybercriminals alike.

According to Durov, the real harm would fall on law-abiding citizens whose communications could be intercepted or leaked, while criminals would simply avoid detection by migrating to more secure platforms or using tools such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).

Telegram has pledged to exit any market that demands compromising its strong encryption standards or human rights principles. Durov emphasized that during its 12 years of operation, Telegram has never shared private messages with governments, only limited data like IP addresses and phone numbers under valid court orders in compliance with EU regulations.

He urged lawmakers to recognize encryption as a fundamental human right essential to protecting everyday privacy, not as a criminal tool. Highlighting ongoing threats, Durov warned that Europe’s digital freedoms are under constant attack and must be vigilantly defended.

As Durov stated: “The battle is far from over. This month, the European Commission proposed a similar initiative to add backdoors to messaging apps. No country is immune to the slow erosion of freedoms. Every day, those freedoms come under attack — and every day, we must defend them.”