Telegram’s Durov raises concerns about Spanish age verification plan
Pavel Durov, who co-founded Telegram, has spoken out against Spain’s plan to introduce online age verification. The proposal would restrict social media access for people under 16. Durov thinks this could lead to more government censorship and privacy problems.
He made his comments on Wednesday, saying the law might result in users being de-anonymized. Mass surveillance could become more common too, in his view. It’s a significant shift in how Spain approaches online regulation.
Spanish prime minister defends the proposal
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced the policy on Tuesday. He mentioned that similar rules exist in other European countries, including the United Kingdom. At the World Governments Summit in Dubai, Sánchez described social media as a “failed state.”
“If we want to protect our children, there is only one thing we can do: take back control,” he said. But his words haven’t been well received by everyone. Privacy advocates and cypherpunks have pushed back strongly.
They argue these policies might limit free speech. Governments could use them to censor content for political reasons, critics suggest. It’s a familiar debate that keeps coming up as more countries consider age verification.
Mixed reactions from tech leaders and journalists
The announcement sparked various responses online. Elon Musk mocked Sánchez on social media. A user named Campari suggested the real goal was controlling people who expose government corruption.
Journalist Taylor Lorenz was more direct. “None of this is about ‘protecting children,'” she wrote. She encouraged people worldwide to resist online age verification laws.
But not everyone dismisses the need for some protection. Boris Bohrer-Bilowitzki, CEO of blockchain platform Concordium, acknowledges minors need shielding from harmful content. He just thinks current methods don’t work well.
Current verification methods and blockchain alternatives
Bohrer-Bilowitzki points out that existing age checks often drive users to VPNs. These tools mask IP addresses by routing traffic through servers in different locations. So people simply bypass the restrictions.
He proposes blockchain technology as a better solution. It could prove personhood securely without revealing specific identity details. The cryptographic approach might balance privacy with verification needs.
I think this debate will continue as governments grapple with online safety. There’s no perfect answer, perhaps. Too much control risks privacy and free speech. Too little might leave children exposed to real dangers.
The UK is considering similar restrictions for under-16s. It’s becoming a trend across Europe. What’s interesting is how different countries approach the same problem differently.
Blockchain solutions sound promising on paper. But implementing them at scale presents challenges. And getting governments to adopt new technologies takes time, if it happens at all.
For now, Spain’s proposal has ignited another round in the ongoing privacy versus protection discussion. Where it leads remains uncertain.
