Telegram Chief Pavel Durov Accused of Spreading Lies Against Spanish Government Over New Digital Regulations

According to the Economic Desk of Webangah News Agency, the confrontation between the Spanish government and Telegram CEO Pavel Durov escalated dramatically after Durov sent a message to all Telegram users across Spain, accusing the administration of Pedro Sanchez of attempting to impose dangerous new rules that threaten online freedoms and could turn the nation into a surveillance state.

This mass communication followed recent high-profile tensions between European governments and global technology leaders, exemplified when Elon Musk, owner of the social media platform X, labeled Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez a “real fascist autocrat” over proposed regulatory measures.

Spanish government sources swiftly condemned Durov’s actions, stating that the unprecedented messaging campaign was designed to erode public trust in national institutions. Officials argued that the incident underscored the critical need to establish order over social media and mobile messaging platforms.

Government sources contended that Pavel Durov exploited his absolute control over the application to disseminate several falsehoods and launch illegitimate attacks against the state. They asserted that this was a historic first for the country, stating Spaniards should not live in a reality where foreign technology oligarchs can flood personal devices with self-serving propaganda simply because a government introduces measures intended to safeguard minors and uphold the law.

The current dispute arises against a backdrop of growing international concern over the detrimental effects of social networks. Governments in Spain, the UK, Greece, and France have recently moved to adopt or consider stricter legislation. Notably, Australia became the first country to ban access to these platforms for children under 16 in December.

The Spanish government’s statement further detailed that Durov intentionally engineered a minimal regulatory architecture, effectively turning Telegram into a frequent venue for documented criminal activities, including child sexual exploitation and drug trafficking, with ongoing cases in Spain, France, and South Korea.

Pavel Durov has faced prior legal scrutiny; in August 2024, he was detained in Paris amid an investigation into allegations involving fraud, drug trafficking, organized crime, the promotion of terrorism, and cyberbullying. He was eventually charged with twelve offenses but was later released under judicial supervision, consistently denying all accusations and characterizing his arrest as legally and logically absurd.

Following his arrest, Telegram released a statement asserting that its CEO had nothing to hide and dismissing the notion that a platform or its owner bears responsibility for the misuse of that platform.