Rumble CEO exits Europe following arrest of Telegram’s Pavel Durov

Chris Pavlovski, the founder and CEO of Rumble, an independent online video platform, has made the decision to leave Europe following the recent arrest of Pavel Durov, CEO of Telegram. 

The arrest of Durov, who was detained by French authorities for allegedly failing to censor certain content on his platform, has sparked significant controversy. 

Pavlovski, a vocal advocate for free speech, condemned the arrest, stating that France had "crossed a red line" by taking such drastic measures against Durov.

Pavlovski’s decision to exit Europe underscores his strong stance against what he perceives as increasing censorship in the region. 

He emphasised that Rumble will not tolerate such actions and is committed to using every legal means available to defend freedom of expression. 

“Rumble will not stand for this behavior and will use every legal means available to fight for freedom of expression, a universal human right,” Pavlovski stressed in a statement.

This is not the first time Rumble has faced challenges in Europe. 

In 2022, the platform was banned in France after it refused to comply with demands to censor Russian news sources. 

Pavlovski has been fighting this ban in court, arguing that it infringes on the principles of free speech and open dialogue. 

Despite the legal battles, Pavlovski remains steadfast in his commitment to maintaining Rumble as a platform for uncensored content.

The arrest of Durov has drawn criticism from various quarters, with many seeing it as part of a broader trend of increasing censorship and control over digital platforms in Europe. 

Pavlovski’s exit from Europe is a clear statement of his opposition to these trends and his commitment to defending the rights of individuals and platforms to freely express their views.

Pavlovski also expressed hope for Durov’s immediate release, highlighting the importance of standing together in the fight for free speech. 

He reiterated that Rumble will continue to be a strong advocate for freedom of expression, not just in Europe but globally.