Telegram Founder: Surge in Crypto Kidnappings in France Linked to Tax Data Leak, Will Refuse to Hand Over User Privacy

On April 25, Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, stated that there have been 41 kidnapping incidents targeting cryptocurrency holders in France in the first three and a half months of 2026, questioning whether these incidents are related to data leaks. He pointed out that some tax data and information about crypto users appear to have been leaked and even exploited by criminals, leading to an increase in criminal activities against high-net-worth crypto users, warning that ‘the more data there is, the more victims there will be.’ At the same time, Durov criticized the French government’s plan to strengthen regulations on social media user identities and private communications, stating that this move would further exacerbate privacy risks. He emphasized that Telegram will not grant access to user private information to relevant authorities and even mentioned the possibility of ‘withdrawing from the French market.’