Shocking Blow: Telegram’s Durov Arrest Could Cripple EU Tech by 60%

Shocking Blow: Telegram’s Durov Arrest Could Cripple EU Tech by 60%

Telegram founder Pavel Durov’s arrest has sent shockwaves through Europe’s tech industry, with experts warning it could cripple an already struggling ecosystem.

Lars Hilse, a veteran cybersecurity expert and digital strategy advisor, told Sputnik that the arrest will have “an immediate impact” on Europe’s tech sector.

He fears it could damage Europe’s reputation for innovation and free speech.

The European Union already lags behind the United States in technology, facing obstacles like language diversity, strict privacy laws, and limited government investment.

Hilse explained that these factors “hinder innovation and the rapid scaling of tech companies.”

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The United States, by contrast, has built a powerful tech industry through monopolization.

“They got a head start in building infrastructure, expertise, and obviously market share,” Hilse said.

With a large, uniform domestic market, U.S. companies scale quickly before expanding globally.

Venture capital plays a major role.

“The U.S. has a very, very, very well-established venture capital ecosystem, particularly in Silicon Valley,” Hilse noted. Startups there enjoy easy access to funding and a massive pool of talent.

Many skilled European tech workers move to the U.S. for better salaries and opportunities, worsening the brain drain.

Meanwhile, American tech giants acquire promising European startups before they can grow.

“Then you have cloud service dominance in the U.S.,” Hilse added, highlighting another advantage.

The most immediate impact of Durov’s arrest, Hilse fears, will be on investor confidence.

“This could certainly cause investors to become more cautious or hesitant about investing in European tech companies.”

If that happens, U.S. tech giants may seize an even larger share of the European market, putting local companies at an even greater disadvantage.

With Europe’s tech ecosystem already struggling, Durov’s arrest could be the final blow.