Pavel Durov to Deliver a Remote Speech at the Oslo Freedom Forum Despite Travel Restrictions
Co-founder of Telegram, Pavel Durov, will not travel to Norway for the Oslo Freedom Forum after a French court refused his request to leave the country. Despite this setback, Durov plans to address the gathering remotely via a live video stream. The Human Rights Foundation, organizers of the event, expressed disappointment over the court's decision, particularly given Durov's staunch support for free speech.
The Oslo Freedom Forum, a gathering that brings together voices advocating for civil liberties worldwide, is scheduled to take place soon. Thor Halvorssen, CEO of the Human Rights Foundation, remarked, "It is unfortunate that French courts would prevent Mr. Durov from participating in an event where his voice is so needed."
Durov has been under pressure in France due to his refusal to comply with demands for censorship. In a post on Telegram on May 18, he alleged that French intelligence agencies had requested him to block conservative political content linked to the Romanian presidential elections. Durov claimed he rejected this demand immediately.
Durov's stance echoes Telegram's long-held position as a platform resistant to government censorship. He has consistently maintained that the app would rather exit markets than yield to requests that violate free speech. He considers political censorship a direct infringement on human rights.
It is to be noted that Durov is currently facing charges in France, specifically for complicity in distributing child sexual abuse material and refusing assistance to law enforcement. These charges led to his August 2024 arrest[2], and his bail conditions stipulate that he must remain in France and report to police twice weekly[2]. The travel ban is likely linked to these ongoing legal restrictions.
In this context, Durov's decision to deliver his keynote via livestream underscores his commitment to participate in the event, despite the physical travel restrictions. The ongoing dispute between Durov and French authorities over issues of censorship and political interference also highlights the complexity of balancing freedom of speech with national security concerns.
- The ongoing dispute between Durov and French authorities over issues of censorship and political interference is a topic widely discussed on social-media platforms, with many expressing support for Durov's stance on free speech.
- The Oslo Freedom Forum, being an event that delves deep into general-news and politics, will undoubtedly feature discussions on technology and its role in shaping new frontiers for civil liberties, with Durov's remote participation potentially adding an interesting entertainment angle to the gathering.
