Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, is accused by the Spanish government of spreading lies and undermining democratic institutions through attacks on proposed regulations for social networks.

The Spanish government accused Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, of spreading lies and undermining trust in democratic institutions after he criticized the plans to regulate social networks to protect minors. Durov warned that the proposed measures could turn Spain into a "surveillance state" and erode user anonymity. He argued that holding technology companies accountable for harmful content could lead to excessive censorship.

The Spanish government reacted, stating that Durov's message is an attempt to undermine authority and highlighted the need for regulating social networks. Additionally, Durov has been involved in controversies related to the use of Telegram in illegal activities, having been arrested in 2024 in France on charges of fraud and drug trafficking. This situation reflects the growing tensions between European governments and technology company leaders.