French Senate Pushes Encryption Backdoor Bill; Telegram's Durov Vows Privacy Fight Amid Legal Challenges
April 23, 2025
He also stated that compromising digital security could lead to a loss of user trust and the erosion of privacy.
French authorities are pushing for legislation that would require messaging apps to create backdoors for law enforcement access to encrypted communications.
A bill mandating such backdoor access has already passed the French Senate and is now awaiting approval from the National Assembly.
The European Commission's ProtectEU proposal aims for lawful access by law enforcement by 2026, but it has faced criticism for conflicting with cybersecurity principles.
Human rights activists and digital security experts warn that implementing backdoors could create vulnerabilities that cybercriminals might exploit.
The outcome of these legislative efforts could significantly impact digital privacy rights in Europe and set important precedents for the future.
This push for backdoor access is not limited to France; other countries, including the UK and Sweden, are also exploring similar initiatives, raising concerns about global digital privacy standards.
Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, strongly opposes these measures, arguing that they compromise user privacy and confidentiality.
On April 21, Durov reiterated Telegram's refusal to implement backdoors, even if it means withdrawing from certain markets to uphold user rights.
Durov emphasized that Telegram has never disclosed user message content and only shares IP addresses and phone numbers when compelled by a court order.
Despite the recent rejection by the French National Assembly of a proposal for covert access to messages, Durov believes the pressure for digital privacy reforms will continue.
Durov is currently facing legal challenges in France for allegedly facilitating illegal transactions, which could result in penalties of up to ten years in prison and a $550,000 fine.
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The Pinnacle Gazette • Apr 23, 2025
French Authorities Push For Backdoor Access In Messaging Apps