Pavel Durov Warns of Potential Societal Collapse in France

Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, has raised alarms over France’s political future, warning that the country could experience a societal collapse if it continues its current path of censorship and restrictive regulations. In an interview on Wednesday, Durov expressed disappointment in President Emmanuel Macron's leadership, emphasizing that France is becoming increasingly weaker.

“If one or two generations are raised with a certain mindset, it takes decades to change,” Durov explained. “If we keep delaying necessary reforms, the risks increase, and the country may face extreme changes. Eventually, such delays can lead to collapse.”

Durov also pointed out that France is losing talent to other countries, particularly to places like Dubai, which offer more favorable environments for innovation and free expression. His concerns were further amplified following his own arrest in France in August 2024, which sparked backlash from the crypto community, human rights groups, and free speech advocates.

Durov detailed an incident where French intelligence services reportedly pressured him to censor content related to the 2025 Romanian presidential election. He recalled meeting with Nicolas Lerner, head of French intelligence, at the Hôtel de Crillon, where he was asked to remove pro-conservative content from Telegram. Durov refused this request, highlighting the dangers of government overreach.

In his interview, Durov criticized laws such as the European Union's Digital Services Act, labeling them as tools for censorship disguised as consumer protection. According to Durov, these regulations, intended initially to combat misinformation and promote online safety, can be used against their creators. “Today, they target conspiracy theorists. Tomorrow, they might target the people who created these laws,” he warned.