Pavel Durov, the visionary behind the popular encrypted messaging app Telegram Messenger, has made a bold prediction about the future of secure communication. In an interview with Tucker Carlson on April 17, Durov discussed the increasing government surveillance and its impact on privacy.
Durov drew parallels between the need for secure communication devices and the rise of cryptocurrency hardware wallets. Just as hardware wallets provide a safe storage solution for digital assets, Durov believes that similar hardware devices will be developed to protect private communication.
During the interview, Durov revealed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had attempted to coerce individuals associated with Telegram into installing backdoors for surveillance purposes. This revelation highlights the persistent efforts by government entities to suppress private exchanges of information.
Durov praised the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for its geopolitical neutrality, which he considers advantageous for entrepreneurs who are advocating for privacy and anti-surveillance measures.
When it comes to ownership and funding, Durov emphasized his aversion to venture capital (VC) investments. He prefers to maintain 100% ownership of Telegram to avoid external influence on its operations. Durov disclosed that he holds a substantial amount of fiat and Bitcoin (BTC) assets, which allows him to independently fund his projects and companies.
While Durov has been cautious about external funding, he did mention past fundraising efforts for certain projects, including a cryptocurrency venture.
In a separate development, renowned whistleblower Edward Snowden recently warned about the United States National Security Agency (NSA) potentially exerting greater control over the internet. Snowden’s concerns align with Durov’s apprehensions about rising government surveillance.
This warning from Snowden follows Elizabeth Goitein’s observation that a seemingly innocuous change in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) 702 bill could significantly expand the U.S. government’s surveillance powers. Such a change could potentially compel any individual or company providing internet-related services to assist with NSA surveillance.
In conclusion, Durov’s prediction about the emergence of secure communication devices inspired by cryptocurrency hardware wallets reflects his deep understanding of the need for privacy in an increasingly surveilled world. The concerns raised by Durov and Snowden highlight the potential threat to individual privacy and the importance of safeguarding personal information in the digital age.
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