Telegram CEO Criticizes France Over Social Media Crackdown

According to the Economic Desk of Webangah News Agency, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has sharply criticized France after reports emerged that police raided the Paris offices of social media platform X. Durov stated on X: “Make no mistake: this is not a free country.”

The tech executive previously accused French authorities of attempting to suppress online criticism, claiming President Emmanuel Macron seeks to transform the European Union into a “digital gulag” – referencing Soviet-era labor camps.

Durov further alleged Macron believes Europeans “are completely wrong to use social media for information” and should instead rely on established journalists and mainstream media outlets.

French cybercrime police conducted the Tuesday raid as part of an investigation into content promoted by X’s recommendation algorithm and its controversial AI chatbot Grok. Paris prosecutors confirmed the operation relates to potential illegal content distribution.

Ongoing investigations examine claims that X facilitated distribution of underage explicit material and Holocaust denial content through Grok. Durov remains under judicial supervision in France following his 2024 arrest, though travel restrictions against him were reportedly lifted in November 2025.