Telegram founder Pavel Durov says he doesn’t feel like celebrating his 41st birthday because he’s worried about the future of the internet. In a heartfelt post on X, he warned that his generation might be the last to enjoy a truly free online world.
Durov criticized governments for introducing rules and systems that he believes limit privacy and freedom online. He mentioned digital ID programs in the UK, online age checks in Australia, and scanning of private messages in Europe. He also pointed out that in Germany, people are being punished for criticizing officials online, in the UK some have been jailed for tweets, and in France tech leaders defending privacy are facing criminal investigations.
“The internet our parents built for us is being turned into a tool of control,” he wrote. Durov said people are being told that progress means giving up privacy, traditions, free speech, and other freedoms — but in reality, it’s leading society toward serious problems.
He warned that if his generation doesn’t act, freedoms could disappear while most people don’t even notice. “We are running out of time,” Durov wrote. He said the risk isn’t just about losing privacy online, but about moral, social, and even economic damage.
Durov has long been an advocate for privacy and freedom online. Telegram, the messaging app he founded, is known for its encrypted chats and resistance to government data demands.
With his birthday reflections, Durov is calling on people to wake up and protect the internet and the freedoms it gives. He said it’s not the time to celebrate — it’s the time to pay attention and take action before it’s too late.
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