The EU’s new age verification app could develop into a broader online identity tracking system, as questions remain over its security design and long-term use, Pavel Durov has warned.
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The warning increases tensions between Telegram and European authorities. Durov has previously faced scrutiny in France via the platform compliance And moderation. This situation reflects ongoing regulatory pressure on Telegram across Europe around content monitoring and cooperation with authorities.
Telegram chief points out risks of verification in EU
In a post on X, Durov cited the findings of security consultant Paul Moore, who said the EU’s age verification app could be bypassed in a matter of minutes. The claim raised concerns about how user authentication is linked to identity data.
The European Commission said the system is ready for deployment. First introduced in July 2025, it is designed to check whether users are over 18 without revealing personal data. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described her as “completely unknown.”
The ‘age verification app’ that the EU wants to impose on the world has been hacked in two minutes. Step 1: Provide a “privacy-respecting” but hackable solution. Step 2: Get hacked (here you are). Step 3: Remove Privacy to “fix” it. The result: a monitoring tool sold as “privacy-respecting.”
– Pavel Durov (@durov) April 17, 2026
Durov rejected that view, calling the system “hackable by design” and warning that it could later be expanded to include broader identity verification across online platforms.
The reaction of Russian officials to the Durov case
After Durov’s arrest in France, the Russian embassy in Paris said that it had taken diplomatic steps to clarify the reasons for his arrest, and demanded consular communication and guarantees regarding his rights, while claiming that the French authorities had not cooperated. The embassy later said on Telegram that it remained in contact with Durov’s legal team.
The case sparked widespread political reactions online, with Elon Musk re-sharing a previous interview with Durov under the hashtag #FreePavel.
Russian officials have characterized the arrest as part of broader concerns about freedom of expression and governance in Europe. Lawmakers and diplomats, including Andrei Klishas and Mikhail Ulyanov, criticized the move as a sign of democratic decline.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said that Durov misjudged geopolitical realities, considering that he is still viewed through the Russian lens in Western jurisdictions.
This article was written by Tariq Sikdar at www.financemagnates.com.
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