Durov slams Soros-backed 'globalist' EU censorship push

Telegram founder Pavel Durov has accused the European Union of relying on non-governmental organizations funded by billionaire George Soros, along with controlled media outlets, to justify its push for more online surveillance and censorship. The allegation follows a France 24 report on an AI Forensics study that examined Spanish and Italian Telegram groups where users shared images of naked women and engaged in harassment. The study blamed Telegram for failing to clamp down on such groups and advised the EU to classify it as a 'very large online platform' under the Digital Services Act, enabling stricter oversight.

In response, Durov labeled as 'crazy' the suggestion that Telegram is a problem because users can discuss content from other social media in private groups. He stated that the narrative from AI Forensics, which he described as a Soros-funded contractor to the European Commission, is being widely distributed by 'globalist outlets' such as El País, Der Spiegel, and Wired. Durov emphasized the need to call out such attempts at public manipulation, arguing they are used to diminish remaining freedoms.

Durov is currently facing legal proceedings in France, where he was arrested and briefly jailed in 2024 over allegations that Telegram failed to deter criminal activity on the platform. He maintains that his prosecution is politically motivated, highlighting broader tensions over free speech and online regulation in Europe. This case underscores ongoing debates about balancing privacy, security, and censorship in the digital age.