Telegram chief slams data risks, signals possible France withdrawal

Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, has suggested that the platform could exit the French market, citing concerns over data security and government demands for access to user information.

In a post published on his Telegram channel, Durov pointed to what he described as a sharp rise in crimes targeting cryptocurrency holders in France, linking the trend to alleged data leaks and misuse of sensitive information.

"41 kidnappings of crypto holders in France in 3.5 months of 2026.

Why?

French tax officials selling crypto owners' data to criminals (Ghalia C.) + massive tax database leaks.

Now the same state also wants IDs and private messages of social media users.

More data => More leaks => More victims.

That’s why Telegram would rather leave the French market than give their corrupt bureaucrats access to private messages," Durov wrote.

By Tamilla Hasanova