Elon Musk and Edward Snowden have publicly condemned the recent arrest of Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram, sparking a global debate on free speech and digital liberties. The high-profile arrest occurred at Le Bourget airport near Paris, where Durov landed on a private jet from Azerbaijan. French authorities accused him of not preventing illegal activities on Telegram, including cyberbullying, the distribution of pedophilic content, and the glorification of terrorism.
Musk, a vocal advocate for free expression, took to his social media platform, X, with the hashtag #FreePavel, highlighting the crucial role of free speech in modern democracies. Snowden echoed these sentiments, labeling the arrest as an \"assault on basic human rights\" and criticized French President Emmanuel Macron for allegedly using dubious methods to access private communications.
Telegram, launched by Durov in 2013 after he left Russia due to governmental pressure, boasts nearly 1 billion users worldwide. The platform remains vital in conflict zones, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, serving as a key communication tool. Telegram insists that it complies with EU regulations and argues that holding Durov personally accountable for user-generated content is unjust.
The arrest has ignited significant outrage, particularly in Russia, where Durov is viewed as a political prisoner. Russian officials have demanded his release, suggesting that Western governments are leveraging his situation for broader political gain. As the international community watches closely, the case raises critical questions about the balance between regulation and personal freedoms in the digital age.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
