Former CIA Agent Edward Snowden Reacts to Pavel Durov's Arrest

Former CIA Agent Edward Snowden Reacts to Pavel Durov's Arrest. Here's What He Said.

Jack Harrison – Controversy: Former CIA Agent Snowden Slams Arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov. In a scathing reaction to the arrest of Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov in France, former CIA agent Edward Snowden has sharply criticized the French government's actions.

Snowden, who is best known for leaking the US government's mass surveillance programs, took to Twitter to denounce Durov's detention.

“The arrest of @Durov is an attack on the basic human rights of speech and association,” Snowden wrote. “I am shocked and deeply saddened that Macron has stooped to the level of hostage-taking as a means to gain access to private communications. This is a disgrace not only to France, but to the world.”

Durov, a 39-year-old Russian-born businessman, was arrested at Paris' Le Bourget Airport on charges of inadequate oversight and failure to cooperate with law enforcement. French authorities allege that Telegram, with its more than 900 million users, has become a tool for criminal activity such as drug trafficking and fraud.

Snowden, who has lived in exile in Russia since 2013, defended Durov and Telegram’s role in protecting free speech. “Telegram is one of the last remaining forums for free speech,” he said.

Snowden's high-profile arrest and forceful response highlight ongoing tensions between technology companies, user privacy, and government efforts to monitor communications.