Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has publicly backed Elon Musk and his social media platform X (formerly Twitter) amid an ongoing investigation in France. In a series of posts on X, Durov alleges that the French government’s allegations against the platform are similar to what it “itself is doing”. He said that the French authorities had made several allegations against the platform. These included claims of illegal collection of personal data, weak data security practices, extraction of data from automated systems and violations related to the secrecy of electronic communications.Durov also shared what appeared to be a French judicial document that referred to these allegations linked to the platform’s operations. He further criticized the French government, saying authorities were acting out of concern and alleging that officials were trying to target free speech platforms ahead of a wider political shift expected in 2027.
Here’s what Telegram CEO Pavel Durov said in support of Elon Musk
In a post on X, Durov wrote: “The French government is accusing X of the very things the French government itself is doing:- Illegally collecting personal data – Processing personal data without proper security- Extracting data from automated systems- Violating the secrecy of electronic communications”.“The French government is panicking. They know a major political shift in 2027 will expose their misdeeds — so they’re trying to silence free speech platforms under whatever pretext they think they can get away with,” Durov said in another post.Extending support for Elon Musk, Durov said: “The free world should stand with @elonmusk and X against this immoral assault by the French state. Telegram supports our brothers and sisters from X in their fight for our freedom”.
French government’s probe against Elon Musk
The Paris prosecutor’s office has issued a release, accusing Musk and his company of 9 charges (translated), representing a significant legal escalation by French authorities regarding platform accountability and the use of AI tools in content moderation:Complicity in the possession of child pornography, as well as the dissemination, offering, or making available (within an organized group) of pornographic images of minors.