UAE and TON Society Urge France to Free Telegram CEO Pavel Durov

The TON Society and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are leading efforts to secure the release of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, who was detained by French authorities at Le Bourget Airport. This arrest has sparked widespread international concern and has been met with strong criticism, particularly from the TON Society and the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Both organizations have called for Durov’s immediate release, highlighting his important role in promoting freedom of expression and user privacy through Telegram.

Durov’s detention has ignited a backlash, especially amid ongoing debates about encryption and privacy. The TON Society, representing the community behind The Open Network (TON), condemned the arrest as a violation of fundamental human rights. They argue that this situation goes beyond legal issues, striking at the heart of online privacy and free communication. The group has urged global institutions like the United Nations and the European Union to step in and challenge France’s actions, and they called on tech platforms to resist orders that infringe on users' rights.

The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also voiced serious concerns, emphasizing that Durov, an Emirati citizen, should be granted urgent consular assistance. Afra Al Hameli, Director of Strategic Communications for the UAE, stressed the nation’s commitment to protecting its citizens' rights and interests.

French authorities have charged Durov with serious crimes, including conspiracy in illegal transactions, child pornography, drug trafficking, and cybercrimes. He is also accused of providing unauthorized cryptology services and refusing to allow French authorities access to monitor certain Telegram users. However, many in the tech community view these accusations with skepticism, believing they are a pretext to undermine encrypted communication and compromise user privacy.

Critics argue that Durov’s arrest represents a dangerous overreach by the French government, which could set a worrying precedent for the future of online privacy. The lack of transparency in the investigation has further fueled doubts about the true motives behind the arrest, with some speculating that it is an effort to weaken Telegram’s strong privacy protections.

In response to the criticism, French President Emmanuel Macron insisted that the arrest was not politically motivated. He stated that while France values freedom of expression and innovation, these freedoms must be exercised within a legal framework that safeguards citizens' rights. Macron clarified that Durov’s arrest was part of an ongoing judicial investigation, leaving the final decision to the courts.

Despite the allegations, Telegram maintains that it complies with European Union regulations, including the Digital Services Act. The platform regularly updates its policies to meet industry standards while protecting user privacy. The TON blockchain, part of Telegram’s ecosystem, also adheres to these principles, operating as a decentralized platform that supports peer-to-peer transactions without downtime.

Durov’s arrest has sparked renewed discussions about the need for decentralized technologies to resist government pressure and protect user privacy. Yat Siu, co-founder and executive chairman of Animoca Brands, believes that this incident will strengthen the push for decentralized solutions. He noted that the arrest has brought significant attention to both TON and Telegram, especially in parts of the West where they are less known.

The situation has also led to increased market speculation. On August 27, Polymarket, a popular prediction platform, placed the odds of Durov’s release before the end of August at just 26%. However, after international pressure from groups like the TON Society and the UAE, the odds improved to 37%. Despite the uncertainty, industry leaders like Siu remain optimistic, believing that TON will play a crucial role in the future growth of Telegram’s ecosystem, driven by its security, resilience, and decentralized nature.