Telegram founder Pavel Durov has once again asserted his unwavering commitment to user privacy and strong encryption, declaring that the platform would rather leave a market than compromise its security with backdoor access. This resolute stance comes in response to renewed pressure from the French government, which is seeking to introduce mechanisms for law enforcement to bypass encryption in major messaging applications.
In a Telegram post on Monday, April 21, Durov, a long-standing advocate for digital privacy, highlighted the recent debates in France surrounding this contentious issue. Last month saw the French Senate pass a provision that would have mandated leading messaging apps to implement backdoors, a move fiercely opposed by privacy advocates. While the National Assembly ultimately rejected this measure, the discussion was reignited by the Paris Police Prefect, who called for its reconsideration.
Durov lauded the National Assembly’s decision, stating that France narrowly avoided setting a dangerous precedent by becoming “the first country in the world to strip its citizens of their right to privacy.” He pointedly noted that even nations often perceived as having fewer freedoms have refrained from banning encryption.
The core of Durov’s argument lies in the technical infeasibility and inherent risks of creating secure backdoors accessible solely to law enforcement. He contends that “once introduced, a backdoor can be exploited by others—from foreign agents to hackers,” thereby jeopardizing the private communications of all law-abiding citizens. Furthermore, Durov suggests that such measures would be ineffective in curbing criminal activity, as malicious actors could easily migrate to smaller, less scrutinized platforms with robust encryption.
“This is why, as I’ve said before, Telegram would rather exit a market than undermine encryption with backdoors and violate basic human rights,” Durov affirmed. He also took a swipe at competitors, stating that Telegram does not compromise user privacy for market share.
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Durov emphasized the need for ongoing education for lawmakers regarding the fundamental importance of encryption in safeguarding the privacy and safety of ordinary individuals, not just shielding criminals. He also acknowledged the broader global debate surrounding encryption, referencing the European Commission’s ProtectEU initiative, which aims to establish a roadmap for lawful access to encrypted data by 2026.
“The battle is far from over,” Durov concluded, underscoring the continuous need to defend digital freedoms against persistent erosion. His firm stance reiterates the ongoing tension between national security concerns and the fundamental right to private communication in the digital age.
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