Pavel Durov Warns of Free Speech Risks Amid New Spanish Law
Telegram founder Pavel Durov has publicly warned about the potential consequences of the Spanish authorities’ initiative to tighten social media regulation, stating that the proposed measures could set a dangerous precedent for restricting free speech and increasing user surveillance.
The reaction was prompted by a draft law that includes a ban on social media use for individuals under 16, mandatory age verification mechanisms, and expanded platform liability for user-generated content. According to Durov, such measures, under the guise of protecting minors, could lead to the implementation of mass user identification systems.
In a message to Spanish Telegram users, the entrepreneur emphasized that mandatory identity or age verification could require the collection of private personal data, including documents or biometric information. He noted that these requirements potentially undermine anonymity and create infrastructure for further expansion of state control.
Durov also expressed concern that vague definitions of “harmful” or “dangerous” content could result in excessive moderation and self-censorship by platforms seeking to avoid fines or legal liability. In this context, he framed his position not as political confrontation but as a defense of fundamental digital rights for users.
Representatives of the Spanish government, in turn, assert that the regulation is solely aimed at ensuring citizen safety and protecting children online. However, Durov insists that even well-intentioned measures should not serve as a justification for weakening the principles of privacy and freedom of expression, which originally underpinned the architecture of the open internet.
