Jack Paul 
Telegram’s Durov opposes Spanish age verification plan
Pavel Durov, the co-founder of Telegram, has raised serious concerns about Spain’s proposed online age verification requirements. The messaging platform creator warned that Spain’s plan to restrict social media access for those under 16 could lead to government censorship and privacy violations.
Durov made his comments on Wednesday, suggesting the law would enable mass surveillance and force users to reveal their identities. He believes this approach represents a fundamental shift toward greater government control over online spaces.
Spanish government defends child protection measures
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced the policy on Tuesday at the World Governments Summit in Dubai. He framed the move as necessary to protect children in what he called a “failed state” of social media.
“If we want to protect our children, there is only one thing we can do: take back control,” Sánchez said during his address. The proposal follows similar age verification policies implemented in other European countries, including the United Kingdom.
But I think there’s something worth considering here. The tension between protecting minors and preserving online freedoms isn’t new, but the solutions being proposed seem to create their own problems.
Privacy advocates and tech leaders push back
The announcement has drawn criticism from various quarters. Privacy advocates argue that such policies could be used to suppress political speech and expose users to government monitoring. Journalist Taylor Lorenz suggested the measures aren’t really about child protection at all.
Elon Musk joined the criticism, though his response was more dismissive than substantive. Some users on social media platforms suggested the real motivation might be controlling political dissent.
Blockchain proposed as alternative solution
Boris Bohrer-Bilowitzki, CEO of blockchain platform Concordium, offered a different perspective. He acknowledged the need to protect minors but criticized current age verification methods as ineffective.
“Current age verification checks are driving users to circumvent the controls by using VPNs,” he wrote. This creates a situation where determined users bypass restrictions while average users face increased surveillance.
Bohrer-Bilowitzki proposed blockchain technology as a potential solution. He suggested cryptographic methods could verify personhood without revealing specific identity details. This approach might balance privacy concerns with legitimate age verification needs.
But I’m not entirely convinced. Blockchain solutions for identity verification have been discussed for years, yet practical implementations remain limited. The technical challenges and adoption barriers are significant.
The broader context of online identity
The Spanish proposal comes amid growing global pressure for online age verification. Several countries are exploring or implementing similar measures, often citing child protection as the primary motivation.
Yet critics consistently point to the same issues: privacy erosion, potential for government overreach, and technical workarounds that undermine the policies’ effectiveness. The debate reflects deeper questions about how societies should balance safety, freedom, and privacy in digital spaces.
Perhaps what’s missing from these discussions is a recognition that no single solution will work perfectly. Different approaches might be needed for different platforms and contexts. And maybe we need to accept some level of imperfection in our solutions.
The conversation continues, with Spain’s proposal likely to face legal challenges and public debate in the coming months. How this plays out could influence similar policies across Europe and beyond.