Durov Warns of French Societal Collapse
Telegram founder Pavel Durov has expressed grave concerns about France's future, warning of a potential societal collapse if its current path of censorship and restrictive regulations continues. In a recent interview with French outlet Le Point, Durov stated, "Emmanuel Macron isn’t making the right choices. I’m very disappointed. France is getting weaker and weaker."
Durov's Warning of Societal Collapse
Durov elaborated on his concerns, stating, "If you raise one or two generations with a certain mindset, it then takes decades to change it. If we continue to waste time, the risk increases that the country will have to undergo very extreme changes. When we delay necessary reforms too long, we end up experiencing a collapse." He further highlighted France's loss of talent to other countries like Dubai.
Allegations of Censorship
Durov's warning comes after his arrest in France in August 2024, which drew widespread condemnation from the crypto community and human rights advocates. He also alleges that French intelligence services attempted to pressure him into censoring pro-conservative content related to the May 2025 Romanian presidential election. Durov claims Nicolas Lerner, head of French intelligence, made this request.
Durov argues that regulations like the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) are being used as a tool for censorship, disguised as consumer protection and measures against misinformation. He warns, "These laws are dangerous because they can be used against those who created them. Today, they target those labeled conspiracy theorists. Tomorrow, they may target their authors."
Implications for Free Speech and the Crypto Community
Durov's statements highlight growing concerns about the potential for government overreach and censorship in the digital age. His arrest and the alleged pressure to censor content raise significant questions about free speech and the future of online platforms. The crypto community remains closely monitoring the situation and its implications for the broader digital ecosystem.
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