Telegram Founder Durov Joins Musk in Condemning Spanish Youth Social Media Ban as Censorship

In a significant development, Telegram founder Pavel Durov has publicly aligned with Elon Musk in opposing Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's proposed legislation to prohibit social media access for individuals under 16. Durov's intervention, issued on Wednesday, frames the initiative not as child protection but as a deliberate attempt to silence critical voices and restrict digital expression. This coordinated criticism from two of the world's most influential tech entrepreneurs elevates the debate beyond national policy, positioning it as a global flashpoint in the ongoing tension between state regulation and digital freedom. The Spanish proposal, ostensibly aimed at safeguarding minors from online harms, now faces scrutiny as a potential tool for political censorship, with Durov explicitly warning that such measures could be exploited to suppress dissent. This high-profile opposition underscores the complex interplay between youth safety protocols and fundamental rights in the digital age, suggesting that Sanchez's administration must now navigate not only domestic concerns but also international condemnation from key figures shaping the future of global communication.