(OSLO, May 24, 2025) — Pavel Durov, the co-founder of Telegram, will not attend the Oslo Freedom Forum in Norway this week. A French court denied his request to travel for the event scheduled on May 27. Durov had planned to speak about free speech, surveillance, and digital rights at the gathering hosted by the Human Rights Foundation (HRF).
Many were shocked by this decision. The founder of HRF, Thor Halvorssen, described it as “a setback for freedom” and “unfortunate.” He explained that technologies like Telegram assist people in standing up against tyranny everywhere. Blocking Durov, said Halvorssen, hurts not only the forum but also all those who advocate for free expression.
Durov’s app, Telegram, boasts hundreds of millions of daily users. The app is a lifeline for people who live within authoritarian regimes. French authorities arrested Durov last August, however. The arrest came after alleged criminal use through the app.
Durov was barred despite prior travel
Durov is not charged directly. His responsibility comes from having a role in this platform. Durov continues to be kept on bail.
Prior to this court decision, French authorities granted permission for Durov to leave the country. The unexpected denial disheartened a lot, primarily organizers of forums and advocates of human rights.
Aside from his keynote, Durov had scheduled meetings with activists from repressive governments. They aimed to see how the technology at Telegram would further enable them.
Durov to speak virtually at Oslo amid travel ban
Durov lived outside Russia after 2014 and declined Russian intelligence requests to hand over data about users who protested in Ukraine. He later openly spoke out against government surveillance and intrusion.
Despite being banned from attending in person, Durov will participate virtually. His keynote address will be streamed live on May 27 at 12:05 p.m. at oslofreedomforum.com. The online address makes it possible for his voice to be heard by supporters despite the travel restriction.
This decision underscores tensions between governments and online platforms. It questions free speech, accountability, and limits to control in today’s networked world. The case against Durov serves to symbolize the conflict for digital freedom in a world subject to growing surveillance pressures.
