Telegram Would Rather Leave France Than Compromise On Encryption

Telegram sent a clear message this Tuesday to its French users, firmly defending the principle of encryption in private messaging. This communication comes after the rejection of a controversial amendment in the National Assembly that aimed to impose “backdoors” in encrypted messaging applications.

A firm opposition to “backdoors” in messaging apps

On Tuesday, April 29, French Telegram users received a direct message from the platform regarding a recent legislative attempt. 

In March 2025, the Senate had adopted an amendment to the anti-drug trafficking law that would have forced encrypted messaging apps like Telegram, WhatsApp, or Signal to integrate “backdoors” allowing authorities to access users’ private conversations. The National Assembly ultimately rejected this measure.

“The members of the National Assembly wisely rejected a law that would have made France the first country in the world to deprive its citizens of their right to privacy“, Telegram emphasizes in its message. 

Moreover, the company does not hesitate to express sharp criticism, adding that “even authoritarian regimes have never banned encryption“.

This communication comes as Paris police prefect Laurent Nuñez recently advocated for authorities to have access to encrypted messaging, notably following coordinated attacks on penitentiary centers via Telegram. 

The app reminds that in accordance with the European Digital Services Act, it already provides authorities with the IP addresses and phone numbers of suspects upon judicial decision.

A security issue for all users

For Telegram, the main argument against these backdoors is technical:

It is technically impossible to guarantee access through a backdoor only to the police. 

The platform argues that such a vulnerability could be exploited by “foreign agents” or “hackers”, thus endangering the confidentiality of messages of all users, including those abiding by the law.

The company also asserts that this measure would be ineffective against crime. 

If the main encrypted messengers became vulnerable, criminals would simply turn to dozens of other, smaller and more opaque applications — while using VPNs to cover their tracks.

This message comes amid tense relations between the platform and French authorities. In August 2024, Pavel Durov was arrested in France as part of an investigation into illicit activities conducted via his platform. 

The Franco-Russian founder was eventually allowed to leave the country at the end of March 2025, after the suspension of his judicial supervision.

Telegram concludes its message by reminding that “the battle is far from over“, notably citing a recent European Commission proposal aimed at weakening encryption across the continent. For the messenger, this issue goes beyond the technical scope: “Every day, our freedoms are put to the test — and every day, we must defend them.”