Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of the Telegram messaging app, has sharply criticized French President Emmanuel Macron, accusing him of attempting to transform the European Union into a "digital gulag" through censorship and mass surveillance policies. The remarks, posted on X (formerly Twitter) on December 24, 2025, come in response to the US Trump administration's imposition of visa bans on former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton and four anti-disinformation activists, escalating transatlantic tensions over online regulation and free speech.
Durov directly linked Breton—a key architect of the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA)—to Macron, calling him "a close ally and appointee." He wrote: "Facing ultralow approval ratings, Macron is trying to silence online critics by turning the entire EU into a digital gulag — through censorship (DSA) and mass surveillance (Chat Control)." Durov further referenced Macron's earlier statements suggesting Europeans are "completely wrong to use social networks for information" and should rely instead on journalists and established media outlets.
The DSA, enacted in 2022 and fully applied to major platforms in recent years, mandates large tech companies to combat illegal content, hate speech, disinformation, and harmful material, with penalties up to 6% of global revenue or potential bans in the EU. Critics, including Durov and US officials, view it as overreach that enables censorship of legal speech. The proposed "Chat Control" regulation—formally the Child Sexual Abuse Prevention proposal—has sparked controversy for potentially requiring scanning of private messages, which opponents argue would break end-to-end encryption and enable broad surveillance.
Durov's comments were prompted by Macron's defense of Breton following the US visa restrictions announced on December 23, 2025. The Trump administration, through Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Under Secretary Sarah B. Rogers, targeted Breton and others for allegedly coercing American platforms to suppress US viewpoints. Rogers highlighted Breton's 2024 letter threatening Elon Musk's X platform with DSA enforcement ahead of a livestream interview with then-candidate Donald Trump. Macron condemned the bans as "intimidation and coercion" undermining European digital sovereignty, stating France would "stand firm" and protect its principles.
This exchange highlights deepening US-EU divides on digital governance. The Trump administration has framed the DSA as part of a "global censorship-industrial complex," while European leaders defend it as essential for protecting citizens from online harms. Breton himself called the visa ban a "witch hunt" reminiscent of McCarthyism. Other targeted individuals include leaders from organizations like HateAid (Germany) and the Centre for Countering Digital Hate (UK/US).
Durov's personal history adds context to his criticism. Arrested in France in August 2024 on charges related to Telegram's alleged facilitation of illegal activities (which he denies), he was placed under judicial supervision. In March 2025, French authorities granted him permission to leave the country temporarily, allowing his return to Dubai, where Telegram is headquartered and his family resides. Durov has since remained critical of French and EU approaches to tech regulation, often positioning Telegram as a defender of privacy against state overreach.
Macron's referenced remarks on social media stem from a November 2025 speech in Paris, where he argued for stronger European regulation to counter disinformation and restore trust in professional journalism over algorithm-driven platforms. He described reliance on social networks for news as misguided, advocating a return to "established outlets" amid what he called an "information crisis."
The controversy unfolds against Macron's reportedly low approval ratings and broader debates on free speech versus platform accountability. Proponents of the DSA argue it democratizes oversight by holding tech giants responsible, while detractors like Durov warn of authoritarian tendencies. As trade negotiations between the US and EU continue, digital regulation remains a flashpoint, with potential implications for global tech policy.
Durov's post also linked to articles critiquing Macron's media views, amplifying claims that French "independent" media receives significant government funding. This latest salvo from the Telegram founder underscores ongoing clashes between privacy advocates, tech entrepreneurs, and regulators in Europe and beyond.
