Telegram Founder Barred From Attending Event in Norway
Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov will no longer appear in person at a major global human rights conference after a French court denied his request to travel.
The Russian-born tech entrepreneur had been scheduled to speak at the Oslo Freedom Forum in Norway on 27 May but will now address the audience virtually due to ongoing legal proceedings in France.
Why Is Durov Restricted From Travelling?
Durov, 40, is currently under formal investigation in France over serious allegations related to illegal content on his encrypted messaging platform Telegram.
He was arrested in August 2024 while attempting to leave Paris via Le Bourget Airport and is facing charges of complicity in distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and failure to assist law enforcement.
Since his arrest, Durov has been released on €5 million bail but remains under strict judicial supervision.
He is required to report to police twice a week and cannot leave France without court approval.
Judges recently blocked his request to travel to Norway, citing a “high” risk of absconding.
Durov Will Make Virtual Appearance Instead
The Human Rights Foundation (HRF), organisers of the Oslo Freedom Forum, confirmed the travel ban on 24 May.
HRF founder Thor Halvorssen said,
“It is unfortunate that French courts would block Mr Durov from participating in an event where his voice is so needed. Technologies like Telegram are basic tools for those resisting tyranny. This is more than a disappointment for our community; it is a setback for freedom.”
Despite the restrictions, Durov is expected to deliver his keynote via livestream.
The 2025 forum is taking place from 26 to 28 May.
Accusations of Political Pressure and Censorship
Earlier this month, in public posts on Telegram and X, Durov claimed the French government pressured him to censor political content.
According to his account, France’s intelligence chief Nicolas Lerner asked him to ban pro-Russian accounts ahead of Romania’s presidential elections.
The alleged meeting took place at the Hôtel de Crillon in Paris.
In his post, Durov argued,
“You can’t “defend democracy” by destroying democracy. You can’t “fight election interference” by interfering with elections. You either have freedom of speech and fair elections — or you don’t.”
However, the DGSE (Directorate-General for External Security) denied these claims, insisting that any conversations with Durov focused strictly on national security threats such as terrorism and child abuse material.
His supporters have rallied in his defence, including prominent figures like Elon Musk and Edward Snowden, who argue that the case reflects increasing attempts by Western authorities to control online speech.
Telegram’s Content Policy Under Fire
Telegram has long been under scrutiny for the spread of harmful content on its platform.
French authorities say the company has refused more than 3,000 law enforcement requests tied to criminal cases.
While Durov insists that Telegram cooperates with legal authorities where possible, critics argue the platform fails to adequately address illegal activity, particularly when it comes to moderation and data transparency.
Following his arrest, Durov has maintained that the accusations are baseless and that his detention was “unconstitutional.”
He also pointed out that Telegram operates with an EU-based legal representative to handle official requests and is committed to both user privacy and moderation efforts.
Vietnam Moves to Block Telegram Over Crime Concerns
In a separate but related development, Vietnam’s technology ministry has ordered telecommunication providers to block Telegram, accusing the company of failing to combat crime on the app.
A government document dated 21 May stated that 68% of the 9,600 Telegram channels in Vietnam were found to be in violation of local laws, including those involving fraud, drug trafficking and potential terrorism links.
Authorities allege that Telegram did not cooperate with local law enforcement and refused to share user data during criminal investigations.
A representative from Telegram responded that the company was “surprised by those statements” and was processing a formal notification from Vietnam’s communications authority, with a response due by 27 May.
As of today, Vietnamese users are already experiencing the impact with the network access being simultaneously blocked.
What Is the Oslo Freedom Forum?
The Oslo Freedom Forum is an annual international event organised by the Human Rights Foundation, bringing together activists, journalists, and technologists to discuss global challenges to free speech and democracy.
Durov’s planned address was expected to focus on encryption, surveillance, and the tension between government oversight and individual rights in the digital age.
Despite the legal hurdles, organisers believe Durov’s participation – even remotely – is vital to ongoing conversations about freedom in the digital era.
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