Petition for the Release of Pavel Durov: Upholding Free Speech and Communication Privacy

We, the undersigned, are deeply concerned about the recent arrest of Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, in France on August 24, 2024. This arrest raises significant concerns regarding the state of free speech and the right to communication privacy within the European Union.

Pavel Durov has long been recognized as a defender of free speech and digital privacy. His platform, Telegram, has become a crucial tool for millions of people around the world, enabling secure communication and the free exchange of ideas in an increasingly surveilled global environment. The charges against him—allegations of failing to prevent illegal activities on Telegram—are, in our view, a misguided attempt to hold him personally responsible for the actions of some users on his platform.

Arresting a technology leader on such grounds not only undermines the EU’s commitment to human rights but also sends a chilling message to innovators and advocates of free speech. It suggests that the EU is willing to curtail the rights of individuals to privacy and free expression under the guise of security, which is a dangerous precedent.

We urge the French authorities to reconsider this arrest, taking into account the broader implications for free speech and privacy. We call on the European Union to uphold its values by ensuring that Pavel Durov is granted his freedom and that the charges against him are reviewed with the utmost scrutiny and fairness.

Freedom of speech and the right to privacy are cornerstones of democracy. We believe that protecting these rights is essential for the future of open and free societies within the European Union.

Sincerely,

We The People