The creator of Telegram points out the risks of Pedro Sánchez's digital censorship

The measures announced yesterday by the President of the Government of Spain regarding social media are raising alarm bells.

Spain deserves a government that monitors the railways, not opinions on social media
Can you imagine a politician forbidding your children from reading books and censoring the ones you read?

The Spanish socialist leader surely intended to create a smokescreen to cover up his corruption scandals and the serious negligence of his government with the railway network, but it seems that the smokescreen has backfired. Far from winning him sympathy, the digital censorship announced by Pedro Sánchez is generating increasing rejection, both inside and outside of Spain, and is also helping to reveal his real motivations, amidst a wave of criticism against his government on the aforementioned issues.

Yesterday, Twitter owner Elon Musk called Sánchez "a tyrant and traitor to the people of Spain", referring to him as "Dirty Sánchez," a nickname that has now spread to many countries, becoming a trending topic on Twitter. Musk also stated: "Sánchez is the true fascist totalitarian," referring to his measures to ban access to social media for those under 16 and impose censorship on user-posted content under the pretext of combating "hate" and "polarization."

This Wednesday, another prominent figure in social media also joined the criticism of Sánchez's digital censorship. This afternoon at 4:19 PM CET, Telegram creator Pavel Durov addressed a message to Spanish users of that network, stating:

My message to Telegram users in Spain ❗️

Pedro Sánchez’s government is pushing dangerous new regulations that threaten your internet freedoms. Announced just yesterday, these measures could turn Spain into a surveillance state under the guise of “protection.” Here’s why they’re a red flag for free speech and privacy:

1. Ban on social media for under-16s with mandatory age verification: This isn’t just about kids—it requires platforms to use strict checks, like needing IDs or biometrics.

⚠️ Danger: It sets a precedent for tracking EVERY user’s identity, eroding anonymity and opening doors to mass data collection. What starts with minors could expand to all, stifling open discourse.

2. Personal and criminal liability for platform executives: If “illegal, hateful, or harmful” content isn’t removed fast enough, bosses face jail.

⚠️ Danger: This will force over-censorship—platforms will delete anything remotely controversial to avoid risks, silencing political dissent, journalism, and everyday opinions. Your voice could be next if it challenges the status quo.

3. Criminalizing algorithm amplification: Amplifying “harmful” content via algorithms becomes a crime.

⚠️ Danger: Governments will dictate what you see, burying opposing views and creating echo chambers controlled by the state. Free exploration of ideas? Gone—replaced by curated propaganda.

4. “Hate and polarization footprint” tracking: Platforms must monitor and report how they “fuel division.”

⚠️ Danger: Vague definitions of “hate” could label criticism of the government as divisive, leading to shutdowns or fines. This can be a tool for suppressing opposition.

These aren’t safeguards; they’re steps toward total control. We’ve seen this playbook before—governments weaponizing “safety” to censor critics. On Telegram, we prioritize your privacy and freedom: strong encryption, no backdoors, and resistance to overreach.

✊ Stay vigilant, Spain. Demand transparency and fight for your rights. Share this widely—before it’s too late.