The determination to enforce compliance against non-conformity highlights the struggle between authority and free expression. The recognition of figures like Musk and Durov as flawed individuals complicates the narrative of them as advocates for free speech. Their self-promotion as champions raises skepticism about their true intentions, suggesting that while they advocate for freedom, their actions and motivations might not fully align with the principles they espouse.
The arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov by French authorities is part of a broader shift away from the free speech absolutism long championed by Big Tech. The Washington Post’s Will Oremus explains.
This episode was produced by Amanda Lewellyn, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by David Pierce.
Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast
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