Telegram Creator on Elon Musk, Resisting FBI Attacks, and Getting Mugged in California
Added: Apr 17, 2024
In this podcast episode, Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, shares his journey from growing up in the Soviet Union to creating one of the most popular social messaging apps in the world. He was born in 1984 and moved to Italy at a young age, where he developed a passion for coding. After returning to Russia, he founded VK, a social networking platform that became the largest in Russia, Ukraine, and other post-Soviet countries.
Challenges in Russia
Durov faced challenges in Russia when the government requested him to censor opposition groups using VK to organize protests. He refused to comply, leading to pressure and threats from the government. Eventually, he made the difficult decision to sell his stake in VK, resign as CEO, and leave the country to protect his principles of freedom of speech and assembly.
Creation of Telegram
The idea for Telegram came from the need for secure communication during the turbulent times in Russia. Durov and his brother developed an encryption standard for the app, focusing on privacy and security. After facing challenges in various countries like Germany, Singapore, and the US, he settled in Dubai, UAE, attracted by the ease of doing business, tax efficiency, and neutrality of the country.
Government Pressure and Privacy Concerns
Despite being in Dubai, Durov has faced pressure from various governments to reveal backdoors or censor content on Telegram. He highlights a case where the US government requested data related to the January 6th events, showcasing the complexities of government demands. He also mentions the challenges from tech giants like Apple and Google, who can remove Telegram from their app stores if it doesn't comply with their guidelines.
Balancing Freedom of Speech and Compliance
Durov emphasizes the importance of balancing freedom of speech with compliance with regulations. While Telegram aims to protect users' privacy and freedom of expression, it also faces the dilemma of adhering to rules set by governments and tech platforms. He shares instances where Telegram has had to navigate conflicting demands and make decisions on content moderation.
Future Challenges and Uncertainties
As conflicts and tensions escalate globally, Durov anticipates an increase in demands and intensity from governments and tech companies. The risk of being removed from app stores poses a significant threat to Telegram's reach and impact. Despite these challenges, Durov remains committed to upholding the values of privacy, security, and freedom of speech that underpin Telegram's mission.
Durov's Unconventional Approach to Running Telegram
Durov's ownership of Telegram is a rarity in the tech industry, as he is the sole owner of the company, which is not influenced by private equity money. He has chosen to maintain full control over the platform, allowing him to make decisions that align with his vision and values. Despite the opportunity to cash in on private equity money, he values independence and efficiency, which has led him to keep Telegram privately owned.
The Importance of a Neutral Platform
Durov emphasizes the importance of providing a neutral platform where all voices can be heard, regardless of their political affiliations. Telegram's channels feature allows for one-to-many communication, enabling users to disseminate messages to millions of people easily. This feature has been instrumental in facilitating organized opposition movements in various countries.
Telegram's Response to COVID-19
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Telegram took a unique stance on freedom of speech, allowing users to express doubts and skepticism about lockdowns, vaccines, and masks. While facing criticism for this approach, Telegram maintained its commitment to providing a platform for diverse viewpoints to collide and foster meaningful debates. Durov believes that allowing opposing views to be heard can lead to the discovery of truth.
The Future of Privacy and Communication
Durov remains optimistic about the future of privacy and communication, envisioning the development of secure hardware communication devices that prioritize privacy. He believes that cycles of change will lead to a shift towards greater privacy and independence in communication. Despite the challenges posed by increasing surveillance and government control, he remains hopeful that innovation and user demand will drive the development of secure communication solutions.
Interactions with Other Tech Leaders
Durov's interactions with other tech leaders, such as Mark Zuckerberg, have highlighted the differences in their approaches to social media. While some companies prioritize scalability and imitation, Telegram focuses on innovation and independence. Durov sees Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter as a positive development for the social media industry, encouraging competition and innovation.
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