Global 'Safeguards' Spark Fears of Surveillance and Eroding Privacy

Pavel Durov, founder and CEO of messaging platform Telegram, has issued a stark warning that global governments are eroding internet privacy and freedom through increasingly intrusive digital policies. In a series of public statements and interviews, Durov highlighted measures such as the European Union's Chat Control proposal, the United Kingdom's digital ID system, and Australia's online age verification requirements as precursors to a "dystopian" future where digital surveillance and censorship dominate. He emphasized that these initiatives, framed as safeguards against illegal content and child protection, threaten to undermine encryption, privacy, and free speech. "What was once the promise of the free exchange of information is being turned into the ultimate tool of control," Durov stated.

The EU's Chat Control proposal, aimed at scanning encrypted messages for child sexual abuse material (CSAM), has drawn widespread criticism for its potential to weaken encryption and create cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Germany, a key player in the EU legislative process, has opposed the measure, with its largest political party rejecting the proposal as a threat to privacy. Privacy advocates, including Signal's Meredith Whittaker, argue that such scanning introduces "dangerous backdoors" exploitable by hackers and authoritarian regimes. Despite opposition, the EU Council is set to finalize the legislation, raising concerns about its global implications for digital rights.

In the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer's push for a mandatory digital ID system has sparked significant backlash. The government claims the system will streamline access to public services and curb illegal immigration, but critics warn it creates a centralized database vulnerable to surveillance and data breaches. Over 2.76 million people signed a petition opposing the initiative, which the government dismissed in October 2025. Civil liberties groups, including Big Brother Watch, argue the system could marginalize vulnerable populations and normalize mass surveillance. Similar concerns emerged in Australia, where an upcoming law restricting social media access for users under 16 requires age verification. Trials of biometric and document-based checks raised privacy risks, with experts noting the potential for exclusion and data misuse.

Durov's resistance to government demands for content censorship has intensified scrutiny of his platform. In 2024, he was arrested in Paris and placed under judicial supervision after refusing to block channels critical of French and Moldovan governments. Durov accused French intelligence of leveraging his legal case to pressure Telegram into compliance, a claim the French government dismissed as "unsubstantiated". His refusal to censor "conservative voices" in Romania's 2024 presidential election further strained relations with European authorities. These incidents underscore a broader conflict between free speech advocates and regulators seeking to control digital platforms.

Technical experts and privacy advocates have amplified concerns about the risks of these policies. The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) and cybersecurity agencies warn that encryption-breaking measures like Chat Control could expose users to cyberattacks and weaken trust in digital communication tools. In the UK, analyses of the digital ID proposal highlight vulnerabilities in centralized systems, even with encryption, due to vendor concentration and governance gaps. Meanwhile, Australia's age verification trials revealed accuracy disparities and risks of false positives, complicating enforcement.

Public and political opposition remains robust. The UK's digital ID petition has forced parliamentary debate, while EU Council divisions reflect ongoing resistance to Chat Control. Civil society groups and tech leaders continue to advocate for privacy-preserving alternatives, emphasizing the need for robust legal safeguards and independent oversight. As governments advance these measures, the debate over balancing security, privacy, and democratic freedoms continues to intensify.

Source: [1] Cointelegraph (https://cointelegraph.com/news/telegram-pavel-durov-warns-global-privacy-threats-will-get-worse)

[2] Brussels Signal (https://brusselssignal.eu/2025/10/telegram-owner-durov-accuses-french-of-interference-attempt-in-moldovan-elections/)

[4] ReclaimtheNet (https://reclaimthenet.org/telegram-founder-pavel-durov-slams-eu-censorship-digital-services-act)

[5] Reuters (https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/telegram-founder-says-he-rejects-request-silence-conservative-voices-romania-2025-05-18/)

[6] Factually (https://factually.co/fact-checks/technology/uk-digital-id-privacy-concerns-a7cc4a)

[9] Compliance Hub (https://www.compliancehub.wiki/the-gov-uk-id-check-app-controversy-separating-fact-from-fiction-in-britains-digital-id-debate/)

[12] ABC News (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-04/how-age-verification-tools-work-australia-social-media-ban/105720526)

[13] edri.org (https://edri.org/our-work/chat-control-what-is-actually-going-on/)