Spanish Government Condemns Telegram Founder's Message
The Spanish government has strongly rebuked Pavel Durov, founder of the messaging app Telegram, following a mass message he sent to users in Spain criticizing proposed legislation aimed at restricting social media access for minors. Spanish officials accused Durov of 'spreading lies' and attempting to undermine democratic institutions, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between European governments and major technology companies.
In his message, sent on Wednesday, February 5, 2026, Durov warned that Spain's proposed measures could transform the country 'into a surveillance state under the guise of 'protection''. He argued that age verification requirements would facilitate tracking 'every user's identity' and that liability rules could lead to over-censorship, suppressing political dissent and journalism.
Details of Spain's Proposed Social Media Regulations
The controversy stems from a package of measures announced by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez earlier in the week, including a proposed ban on social media use for children under the age of 16. The legislation also seeks to hold social media executives legally and criminally responsible for unlawful or hateful content on their platforms. Other provisions include criminalizing algorithmic manipulation and implementing mandatory age verification systems.
Prime Minister Sánchez stated that the measures are necessary to 'regain control' of the digital space and protect minors from harmful content, such as addiction, abuse, pornography, and manipulation. He emphasized that 'Governments must stop turning a blind eye to the toxic content being shared.'
Government's Strong Response to Durov's Criticism
Spanish officials swiftly condemned Durov's intervention. A government spokesperson stated, 'Telegram founder Pavel Durov used his unrestricted control of the app to send a mass message to all users in Spain, spreading several lies and making illegitimate attacks against the government. This is the first time this has happened in our country's history.' The spokesperson added, 'Spaniards cannot live in a world where foreign tech oligarchs can flood our phones with propaganda at will simply because the government has announced measures to protect minors and enforce the law.'
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez himself responded to the criticism, paraphrasing Don Quixote in a post on social media: ''Let the techno-oligarchs bark, Sancho, it's a sign that we are riding on''. This incident follows a similar clash with Elon Musk, owner of X, who also criticized Sánchez's proposals.
Broader European Context
This dispute underscores a growing pattern of confrontation between European governments and tech industry leaders over digital regulation. Spain is part of a 'coalition of the digitally willing' with other European countries, aiming to coordinate cross-border regulation of social media. Countries like Australia, France, Greece, and Denmark are also considering or implementing similar restrictions on social media access for minors, reflecting a global trend towards stricter oversight of online platforms.
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