In April, Pavel Durov called for communication devices with the same level of security as cryptocurrency wallets. In a conversation with Tucker Carlson, the Telegram founder said this would help protect user data from government surveillance.
According to analysts, Durov’s ongoing legal battle against the French government puts user privacy on the line. It also sets a concerning precedent for rival social networks and their owners.
Daria Lysenko, a crypto lawyer with the law firm SBSB, said the regulatory environment is shifting, and tech companies like Telegram may be forced to comply with governments’ demands to share private user information.
“Governments around the world are introducing more stringent laws on data sharing, particularly in relation to terrorism, financial crime, and money laundering,” Lysenko told Cryptonews.