Telegram founder Pavel Durov has opposed the Spanish government’s initiative to introduce mandatory age verification on the internet. He believes the new law will lead to state censorship and violate users’ privacy.
On February 3, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced measures to restrict access to social platforms for those under 16.
Social media has become a failed state.
If we want to protect our children there is only one thing we can do: take back control.
Las redes sociales se han convertido en un Estado fallido.
Si queremos proteger a nuestros hijos, solo tenemos una opción: recuperar el control. pic.twitter.com/1MvCNxiLys
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) February 3, 2026
Speaking at the World Government Summit in Dubai, the politician described the current regulation of social networks as a failure. According to him, strict control is necessary to “protect children.”
Durov called these proposals dangerous for internet freedom. In his view, under the guise of safety, the authorities are turning Spain into a surveillance state. The de-anonymization of users will facilitate mass monitoring and politically motivated censorship.
The initiative has also been criticized by other public figures. Elon Musk mocked Sánchez’s statement, while journalist Taylor Lorenz urged the community to fight such laws. Critics are convinced that the aim of these measures is not to protect minors but to suppress dissent and conceal corruption.
Back in October 2025, Durov warned of the “imminent demise” of a free internet. Later, he announced a decentralized network for AI on TON.
