Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, has issued a stark warning about the erosion of online freedoms worldwide. He describes a looming “dark, dystopian world” as governments roll back privacy protections.
“I’m turning 41, but I have no reason to celebrate. Our generation is racing against time to protect the free internet our predecessors built for us,” Durov wrote on X this past Thursday.
He pointed to several examples of increasing digital control: the European Union’s Chat Control initiative, the UK’s digital ID plans, and Australia’s new online age verification rules for social media.
“What was once the promise of open information exchange is being transformed into a tool for total surveillance,” he added. “Germany punishes those who criticize officials online. The UK jails thousands for their posts. France investigates tech leaders defending privacy and freedom.”
Durov stressed the urgency: “A dystopian reality is approaching while we sleep. Our generation could be remembered as the last to enjoy freedoms—and the ones who let them slip away.”
The cryptocurrency industry, particularly Bitcoin, emphasizes privacy. Bitcoin allows pseudonymous transactions through addresses rather than personal names and enables peer-to-peer transfers without banks or intermediaries, maintaining user confidentiality.
Germany Pushes Back Against EU Chat Control
The EU had planned a vote on the Chat Control law, which critics argue undermines encrypted messaging and privacy. The legislation would require platforms like Telegram, WhatsApp, and Signal to permit regulators to monitor messages before encryption.
Germany, holding a significant number of seats in the European Parliament, has expressed opposition, putting the proposal in jeopardy. Signal CEO Meredith Whittaker said Germany’s resistance is a positive development but cautioned, “The battle isn’t over. The issue now moves to the European Council, where the outcome remains uncertain.”
She emphasized that backdoors in encryption are inherently unsafe. “There is no way to create a backdoor that only trusted parties can access. These proposals introduce serious cybersecurity risks that hackers and hostile states could exploit,” Whittaker explained.
UK’s Digital ID Plan Raises Privacy Concerns
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently announced a digital ID initiative that would require residents to verify their eligibility to live and work in the country. The government frames the system as a way to fight illegal employment and streamline access to services like licenses, childcare, and welfare.
Critics argue that the plan poses significant privacy risks. Users would have to submit personal data to a government-controlled app, which could be misused. More than 2.8 million citizens have already signed a petition opposing the scheme. Petitions exceeding 100,000 signatures must be debated in Parliament.
Australia Introduces Age Verification Online
Starting December 10, Australians under 16 will face restrictions on accessing social media platforms. The government is considering an online digital age verification system to enforce this ban.
Proponents claim the measure will protect minors from harmful online content. Critics, however, highlight privacy concerns similar to those raised in the UK, warning that sensitive data could be mismanaged or abused by authorities.
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