Pavel Durov Accuses Macron of Creating a “Digital Gulag” Amid Transatlantic Tech Wars

Pavel Durov Blasts Macron Over “Digital Gulag” Allegations

The founder of Telegram, Pavel Durov, has accused French President Emmanuel Macron of trying to transform the European Union into a “digital gulag,” warning that Europe’s new regulatory agenda threatens online freedom across the continent.

In a fiery post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Durov claimed 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’s statement came shortly after the United States imposed visa bans on five EU figures, including former European Commissioner Thierry Breton, a key architect of the Digital Services Act (DSA). Durov described Breton as a “close ally” of Macron and accused both of promoting heavy‑handed internet control under the banner of digital safety.

A Growing Transatlantic Rift Over Digital Regulation

The US and EU have increasingly clashed over how to police the digital sphere. The visa bans, announced by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, targeted several anti‑disinformation advocates, including:

Thierry Breton, former EU Commissioner and architect of the DSA
Imran Ahmed, CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate
Clare Melford, co‑founder of the Global Disinformation Index
Two senior figures at Germany’s HateAid organisation

Rubio claimed these individuals pressured US‑based tech companies to suppress political speech. Washington has accused the EU of exporting restrictive laws that compromise the American model of free speech, while Europe argues that the US allows big tech firms to spread hate and disinformation unchecked.

Macron shot back that the bans were an “attack on Europe’s digital sovereignty,” accusing Washington of intimidation. The French Foreign Ministry condemned the US move as an “unacceptable breach of trust between allies.”

The Core of the Dispute: DSA and Chat Control

The Digital Services Act (DSA) and the proposed Chat Control law are at the heart of Europe’s digital governance strategy.

The DSA requires major platforms such as Facebook, X, and Telegram to monitor and remove illegal content, including hate speech, terrorism, and disinformation.
Chat Control, a controversial EU proposal, would introduce client‑side scanning of encrypted messages to detect child abuse material—something critics say would undermine encryption and invite state surveillance.

Durov and other privacy advocates view these laws as existential threats to secure communication. He argues that Telegram’s privacy-focused model is incompatible with the EU’s increasingly restrictive framework.

Durov’s Legal Battles in France

Durov’s criticism also comes as he faces multiple legal challenges in France, where he was detained at a Paris airport in August 2024. Authorities charged him with twelve offences, including complicity in child exploitation material distribution and drug trafficking facilitated through Telegram.

Released on €5 million bail and initially banned from leaving the country, Durov later relocated to Dubai, where Telegram’s main offices are based. His supporters describe the case as politically motivated, pointing to Macron’s broader crackdown on digital platforms accused of failing to moderate content.

Macron’s Struggle at Home

Emmanuel Macron’s domestic popularity remains in steep decline, with approval ratings hovering around 18% and disapproval reaching 77%. His critics argue that the government’s digital agenda is part of a wider effort to control public discourse after years of political unrest, including the Gilets Jaunes protests and national strikes.

Macron has also publicly criticised social media platforms for spreading “fake news,” urging citizens to rely instead on professional journalists—remarks that further alienated younger, digitally savvy voters.

The Future of Online Freedom in Europe

The Durov–Macron clash epitomises a deeper philosophical divide between European digital regulation and the American free-speech tradition.

Europe prioritises safety, accountability, and platform responsibility.
The US emphasises free expression and minimal government interference.

As Brussels pushes ahead with sweeping digital laws, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The battle over encryption, censorship, and digital sovereignty will likely determine how billions of people communicate online—and who controls those conversations.

Final Thoughts

Durov’s explosive attack on Macron has ignited a fierce debate at the crossroads of privacy, governance, and democracy. As Europe doubles down on digital regulation and the US pushes back, the world may be entering a new era of digital geopolitics, where controlling data and speech becomes both a political and moral battleground.