Pavel Durov, the CEO and founder of the encrypted messaging service Telegram, has issued a forceful condemnation of Spain’s recent proposal to mandate stringent online age verification for access to social media platforms. The controversial plan, aimed at protecting minors, would require users to prove their age, potentially involving the submission of government identification or biometric data to third-party verifiers.
Durov characterized the Spanish initiative as a serious threat to fundamental digital rights and privacy. He argued that implementing mandatory, platform-wide age checks is fundamentally incompatible with the principles of an open and secure internet. In a public statement, Durov stated that such measures quickly transition into tools for mass surveillance and excessive data collection, undermining the core commitment to user anonymity that platforms like Telegram provide.
He specifically highlighted the inherent security risks associated with the proposal, noting that collecting and storing vast databases of user identification documents creates an irresistible target for hackers and state actors seeking to compromise personal data on a massive scale. Furthermore, Durov pointed to the lack of efficacy, suggesting that technologically sophisticated minors would easily circumvent the age gates, while legitimate adult users would face an unwarranted imposition on their freedom of expression and privacy.
Telegram, which maintains a strong stance on encryption and minimal data retention, views this type of legislation as setting a dangerous global precedent that could lead other nations to adopt similar intrusive methods under the guise of child safety, ultimately furthering state control over digital communication.
Source: Telegram’s Durov slams Spain’s online age verification proposal
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