📰 【Telegram Founder: Surge in France Crypto Kidnapping Cases May Be Linked to Tax Data Leaks; Will Refuse to Hand Over User Privacy】

BlockBeats reports that on April 25, Telegram founder Pavel Durov said in a post that in the first three and a half months before 2026, France had seen 41 kidnapping incidents targeting holders of crypto assets, and he questioned whether the underlying cause is related to data leaks. He noted that some tax data and crypto users’ information are suspected to have been leaked, and that it was even allegedly used by criminals, leading to an increase in criminal activity targeting high-net-worth crypto users—and warning, “the more data, the more victims.” At the same time, Durov criticized the French government’s plan to strengthen regulation of social media users’ identities and private communications, saying the move will further heighten privacy risks. He emphasized that Telegram will not provide the relevant authorities with …

France’s tax system can’t even protect encrypted addresses—so is it Telegram’s fault for refusing to open a backdoor? The tally of 41 kidnapping cases and privacy leaks is wrong. “The more data, the more victims”—this line should be carved into the wall of France’s data authority. $TON