Telegram CEO accuses Macron of turning EU into “digital Gulag”

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has sharply criticised French President Emmanuel Macron, accusing him of attempting to create a “digital gulag” across the European Union.

In a post on X, Durov said the EU’s recently sanctioned censorship law, the Digital Services Act (DSA), combined with mass surveillance measures such as Chat Control, represents an effort to silence online critics, Caliber.Az reports.

"Facing ultralow approval ratings, Macron is trying to silence online critics by turning the entire EU into a digital gulag — through censorship [DSA] and mass surveillance [Chat Control]," he wrote.

The sanctioned architect of the EU’s censorship law is a close ally and appointee of Macron. Facing ultralow approval ratings, Macron is trying to silence online critics by turning the entire EU into a digital gulag — through censorship (DSA) and mass surveillance (Chat Control). https://t.co/gUuVyJlwQR

— Pavel Durov (@durov) December 24, 2025

Durov also cited Macron’s comments suggesting that Europeans were “completely wrong to use social networks for information” and should instead rely on traditional journalists and established media outlets.

The remarks come amid ongoing EU discussions on regulating digital platforms, combating disinformation, and balancing security concerns with civil liberties online.

This is not the first time Durov has targeted Macron publicly. Previously, the Telegram founder made a controversial joke alluding to the French president’s personal life.

By Sabina Mammadli