A French court has blocked Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov from attending the Oslo Freedom Forum in person this year. Despite the travel ban, Durov will deliver his keynote speech remotely via livestream, as confirmed by the Human Rights Foundation (HRF).
The Oslo Freedom Forum, organized by the HRF, aims to promote global freedom of speech and democracy. HRF founder Thor Halvorssen expressed disappointment over the court’s decision, emphasizing the importance of Durov’s voice at such a critical event.
Legal troubles have plagued Durov since August 2024 when he was arrested in France for alleged involvement in distributing child sexual abuse material and failure to assist law enforcement. Telegram reportedly rejected over 3,000 law enforcement requests for evidence related to criminal content.
Released on bail, Durov was required to stay in France, checking in with police twice a week. He vehemently denied the accusations, asserting Telegram’s cooperation with law enforcement requests and commitment to improving moderation while safeguarding privacy and free speech.
Despite his claims of unfounded allegations, the French court deemed Durov a flight risk and denied his travel request to Oslo. Allegations of political content censorship by the French government added another layer of complexity to the situation.
Durov accused French intelligence of pressuring Telegram to censor political content, particularly ahead of Romania’s presidential election. The dispute escalated online as prominent figures like Elon Musk and Edward Snowden defended Durov, highlighting concerns over governmental control of online speech.
Supporters of Durov argue that holding platform founders accountable for user-generated content could jeopardize internet freedom. While acknowledging the need to combat illegal content, they caution against stifling free expression.
Telegram’s role in upholding digital rights is central to the ongoing conversation, with Durov’s presence considered crucial. Despite the legal challenges and censorship allegations, Durov remains a prominent figure in the fight for online freedom.
As the situation unfolds, the debate over online speech regulation and the responsibilities of tech companies continues to evolve. Durov’s case serves as a focal point for discussions on the balance between free expression and the need to combat harmful content online.
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