Vitalik Buterin & Other Top Leaders Demand Release of Telegram’s Pavel Durov After Arrest!

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The recent arrest of Pavel Durov, founder of the popular messaging app Telegram by French authorities has sent shockwaves through the cryptocurrency industry. He’s being accused of allowing illegal activities on Telegram, sparking a major debate about privacy and government control. 

The news has sparked strong reactions from key figures in various industries. Many are criticizing the French government and President Emmanuel Macron.

Crypto Community Stands with Durov

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, who has criticized Telegram before for not taking encryption seriously, is now speaking out against the arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov. He is worried about what this means for digital privacy and software freedom in Europe.

This is why we need open source, and formal verification of security properties.

— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) August 25, 2024

Buterin says that the actions against Durov for not moderating content and not giving up user data are troubling for digital rights in Europe. 

Buterin further talked about the need for open-source software and good security checks. He thinks these are important for protecting user privacy and making sure communication platforms are not controlled too much by governments.

Justin Sun’s Call ‘FreePavel DAO’: Pledge $1 Million

Adding to the wave of support, Tron founder Justin Sun has proposed creating a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) to support Durov’s legal defense. Sun’s “FreePavel DAO” aims to rally the crypto community, with Sun personally pledging $1 million to start the fund. 

We should show the cryptocurrency industry's unity by organizing a #FreePavel DAO to help Telegram founder Pavel Durov legally gain freedom. I'll donate $1 million if it's created in a decentralized way with enough community support. @elonmusk @MarioNawfal

— H.E. Justin Sun 孙宇晨(hiring) (@justinsuntron) August 25, 2024

His initiative highlights the importance of industry unity and the potential for blockchain technology to bring about social change.

Elon Musk Speak Out

Beyond the tech and crypto sectors, other influential figures are also voicing their support for Durov. Elon Musk, the founder of X, has shown his backing by tweeting #FreePavel and expressing concern over the increasing censorship in Europe. 

#FreePavel
pic.twitter.com/B7AcJWswMs

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 25, 2024

Musk also questioned why similar scrutiny hasn’t been applied to other tech leaders, like Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg.

Similarly, Edward Snowden, a well-known privacy advocate and IT expert, criticized the arrest. Snowden describes it as a violation of basic human rights, accusing President Emmanuel Macron of taking extreme measures to access private communications, which he believes damages France’s reputation globally.

Telegram Responds to Allegations

In an official statement, Telegram maintained that they comply with European Union laws, including the Digital Services Act, and that their content moderation practices are in line with industry standards. 

Telegram also argues that Pavel Durov has always been open and cooperative during his travels in Europe, dismissing any claims of wrongdoing as “absurd.”