Pavel Durov Compares UK Encryption Policies to Dystopian 'V for Vendetta' Scenario

Oh brave UK, with safety as your creed,
You brand encryption devs as foes indeed.
By twenty-twenty-seven, masks we'll don,
V for Vendetta—your script is spot on!

Telegram founder Pavel Durov sparked controversy with a now-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter), where he drew parallels between the United Kingdom's recent approach to encryption and the totalitarian regime depicted in the 2005 film V for Vendetta.

In the post, Durov wrote: "V for Vendetta’s totalitarian UK felt far-fetched 20 years ago. Now, with moves like branding all e2e encryption developers ‘hostile actors’, it feels less like fiction and more like a government action plan. The film is set in 2027 — the UK seems determined to stay on schedule."

The statement referenced concerns over UK legislation and guidance, particularly interpretations of documents related to the Online Safety Act or associated codes of practice. Critics, including privacy advocates, highlighted sections that appeared to classify developers of end-to-end encrypted (E2E) applications as potential "hostile actors" if their tools hindered law enforcement monitoring. Durov's post included a screenshot from an account opposing digital IDs, emphasizing excerpts labeling such developers in this way.

Durov, a vocal proponent of digital privacy and the creator of a messaging app renowned for its strong encryption features, framed the UK's policies as a step toward authoritarian control, eroding user privacy under the guise of security.

The tweet gained significant traction, with thousands of likes and reposts before it was removed from Durov's account. As of December 19, 2025, the original post is no longer visible on his profile, though screenshots and quotes continue to circulate widely on social media and in news reports. The reason for the deletion remains unclear, as Durov has not commented on it publicly.

This incident underscores ongoing global tensions between governments seeking greater access to encrypted communications for national security reasons and tech leaders advocating for unbreakable privacy protections.