Telegram founder cautions against rising surveillance and digital ID programs as global privacy protections erode.
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has issued a stark warning that the “free internet” is on the verge of extinction, citing growing state control, surveillance initiatives, and restrictive digital regulations across democratic nations.
“I’m turning 41, but I don’t feel like celebrating,” Durov said in a post on X on Thursday. “Our generation is running out of time to save the free internet built for us by our fathers.”
He described a world where “once-free countries are introducing dystopian measures”, referencing the EU’s Chat Control proposal, the UK’s digital ID plans, and Australia’s online age verification mandates. According to Durov, these actions represent a shift from open communication toward centralized control.
“What was once the promise of the free exchange of information is being turned into the ultimate tool of control,” he warned, adding that “a dark, dystopian world is approaching fast — while we’re asleep.”
EU’s Chat Control Faces Pushback
The Chat Control law, set for a vote in the European Parliament, would compel encrypted messaging apps like Telegram, Signal, and WhatsApp to allow authorities to scan messages before encryption. Critics argue it undermines privacy and violates encryption principles.
Germany’s opposition has thrown the legislation into uncertainty. Meredith Whittaker, president of Signal, called the move a temporary relief but cautioned that “the war is not over,” warning that backdoors for regulators would “create cybersecurity loopholes hackers and hostile nations could exploit.”
Digital ID Programs Raise Alarm
The UK’s newly announced digital ID system has also stirred privacy concerns. The initiative, promoted as a way to streamline access to services and verify immigration status, has prompted over 2.8 million signatures in opposition petitions.
Critics fear the plan could lead to government overreach and mass data collection. Similarly, Australia’s proposal to restrict under-16 social media access via digital age verification has been labeled intrusive by privacy advocates.
Durov’s warning resonates deeply with the crypto community, where privacy and decentralization are fundamental values. As governments pursue stronger control mechanisms, his message serves as a reminder that the battle for digital freedom is far from over.
“Our generation risks going down in history as the last one that had freedoms — and allowed them to be taken away,” Durov concluded.
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