Pavel Durov Blocked from Oslo Freedom Forum, Speaks Remotely

Pavel Durov Blocked from Oslo Freedom Forum, Will Speak Remotely

Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov will not physically attend the Oslo Freedom Forum in Norway after French courts denied his travel request, according to the Human Rights Foundation (HRF), the summit organizer.

Despite the setback, Durov will still deliver his keynote remotely via livestream at the event, which brings together global voices advocating for universal human rights and autonomy.

“It is unfortunate that French courts would block Mr. Durov from participating in an event where his voice is so needed,” said HRF founder and CEO Thor Halvorssen.

Durov has long been a vocal supporter of free speech and individual liberty, making his appearance at the forum highly anticipated by leaders in both the tech and crypto industries.

Source: Pavel Durov

Recently, Durov revealed that French intelligence services had asked him to censor conservative political content related to the Romanian presidential elections on Telegram.

“You can’t ‘defend democracy’ by destroying democracy. You can’t ‘fight election interference’ by interfering with elections,” Durov wrote on Telegram on May 18.

While initially withholding names, Durov later disclosed on X (formerly Twitter) that Nicolas Lerner, head of French intelligence, made the censorship request at the Hôtel de Crillon in Paris.

Durov emphasized that Telegram has never blocked political protests, whether in Russia, Belarus, or Iran, and he has no intention of starting in Europe. He views such censorship demands as human rights violations and has pledged that Telegram will exit markets before compromising on free speech principles.