Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Accuses French Government of Data Practices Similar to X Allegations

Pavel Durov has accused the French government of engaging in the same types of data-related practices that authorities have criticized X, formerly Twitter, for allegedly carrying out. The remarks have intensified ongoing debates surrounding digital privacy, government oversight, and the handling of user data across online platforms. According to the reported statements, Durov alleged that French authorities have been involved in activities including the illegal collection of personal data, processing user information without adequate security protections, extracting data from automated systems, and violating broader privacy principles tied to digital communications. The comments were framed as criticism of what he described as inconsistent standards in how governments regulate and assess technology platforms. The accusations arrive amid increasing scrutiny of major social media and messaging services across Europe, where regulators have expanded oversight of online platforms concerning privacy, artificial intelligence, misinformation, and user protections. European authorities have introduced stricter digital regulations in recent years aimed at strengthening accountability for companies handling large-scale personal data. Telegram, founded by Durov, has frequently positioned itself as a platform centered on privacy, encryption, and reduced government interference. The messaging app has attracted a global user base partly due to its emphasis on communication security and resistance to broad data-sharing demands. At the same time, Telegram has also faced criticism from governments and regulators over content moderation challenges and concerns surrounding illicit activity on encrypted platforms. Durov’s latest comments also add to the broader tension between technology companies and governments over access to digital information. The balance between national security, law enforcement capabilities, and individual privacy rights has become a defining issue in global technology policy debates. The comparison to X reflects wider disputes involving platform accountability and how states enforce digital regulations against major online services. Several governments and regulators worldwide have accused social media companies of mishandling user information, while tech executives increasingly argue that governments themselves engage in similar or more invasive data practices. The remarks are expected to further fuel discussion around transparency, surveillance, and digital rights as governments continue expanding oversight of online ecosystems. Neither French authorities nor X had publicly responded to the reported claims at the time the statements circulated online.