Latest news with #HumanRightsFoundation
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
'Bitcoin Is Bad For Dictators?' Why Human Rights Foundation Strategist Says Bitcoin Is 'Freedom Money'
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Most people see Bitcoin as an investment or a technological advancement. But for millions of people living in unstable economies and oppressive regimes, the asset offers a rare escape hatch, says Human Rights Foundation strategy chief Alex Gladstein. Goldstein said Bitcoin is 'a very powerful human rights tool' at the 2025 Bitcoin Policy Summit on Monday. For one, Goldstein said Bitcoin provided an avenue for many to escape hyperinflation or even just basic inflation. He said that while citizens of developed societies could save in stocks and bonds to escape inflation, most of the world did not have that privilege. On the other hand, Bitcoin is accessible to everyone, he said. Don't Miss: — no wallets, just price speculation and free paper trading to practice different strategies. Grow your IRA or 401(k) with Crypto – . 'Bitcoin represents a fundamental new opportunity and a parallel system that's equal for anyone in the world, like anyone can join it,' he said. 'And that's just so profound, especially given that it's literally the best performing financial asset of the last 15 years.' Gladstein also discussed Bitcoin's potential to help individuals evade financial surveillance and censorship if used right, citing the increased weaponization of the financial system by autocratic and even some democratic leaders against opponents and activists. 'With Bitcoin, the ability of these leaders to do these things is completely decimated,' he said. 'So it's so much harder for governments to track people if they use Bitcoin the right way, without linking their ID to it. Obviously, if you're self custodying your Bitcoin, governments can't delete or freeze your stuff, and they certainly cannot hyperinflate you.' Trending: New to crypto? on Coinbase. Gladstein said that Bitcoin has been solving these problems for activists since at least 2013, citing the protests against then-Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych's government. He said the Human Rights Foundation was able to support protester with Bitcoin after their bank accounts were frozen. Gladstein anticipates that the adoption of Bitcoin by activists globally will only continue to grow with time, citing similar occurrences in Russia, Nigeria and Belarus in recent years. 'The things that these people are doing with Bitcoin, it's impossible to use US dollars,' he said. 'Technologically, they just don't work.' Gladstein said all these made Bitcoin 'freedom money,' adding, 'Bitcoin is bad for dictators.''I'll admit to you, as a longtime human rights activist, that a lot of the activism is virtue signaling,' he said. 'But if you can teach somebody how to use Bitcoin and achieve property rights and financial freedom and free speech for themselves and for their family, for their communities, man, that's real impact.' The Human Rights Foundation has raised over $6 million to support human rights work, boasting over 75 creative and tech partnerships with activists, the non-profit's website says at last look. The organization also boasts a Bitcoin Development Fund that supports individuals and projects that make tools for Bitcoin and other 'freedom technologies' that help activists in challenging environments. Human Rights Foundation said it gave out 800 million satoshis or 8 BTC to 22 'freedom tech projects' across Africa, Asia and Latin America in May. Read Next: Named a TIME Best Invention and Backed by 5,000+ Users, Kara's Air-to-Water Pod Cuts Plastic and Costs — Image: Shutterstock This article 'Bitcoin Is Bad For Dictators?' Why Human Rights Foundation Strategist Says Bitcoin Is 'Freedom Money' originally appeared on
eNCA
27-05-2025
- Politics
- eNCA
Telegram's Durov repeats claim France interfered in Romania vote
The co-founder and CEO of the Telegram messaging app, Pavel Durov, on Tuesday repeated his allegation that French intelligence pressured him to interfere in this month's Romanian presidential election. Durov's renewed claim during the Oslo Freedom Forum contradicted a denial by the DGSE, the foreign intelligence service of France, where he faces charges related to criminal activity on the Telegram platform. "I was indeed asked by the head of French intelligence, Nicolas Lerner", to turn off conservative Romanian Telegram channels ahead of the election, Durov said in an appearance by video after French judicial authorities denied his request to travel to Norway. "It's very important to be very transparent about what kinds of request we receive," added Durov, who did not provide fresh evidence for his claim. The 40-year-old, who holds French and Russian passports, was detained in Paris in August 2024 and is under investigation over illegal content on his popular messaging service. The Romanian election, re-run due to alleged Russian interference after a first-round vote put a far-right candidate ahead, ultimately saw pro-European centrist Nicusor Dan defeat nationalist George Simion. Romania's constitutional court on Thursday denied Simion's challenge to the results, which he based in part on claims of French and Moldovan interference. The court called his allegations "completely false and unfounded". The DGSE last week said it has contacted Durov in the past "to firmly remind him of (Telegram's) responsibilities... concerning prevention of terrorist and child pornography threats". But it "refuted vigorously" his allegations about attempted Romanian election interference. Durov also said Tuesday that Telegram "received a demand from the French police to shut down a public channel on Telegram which was organised by far-left protesters and demonstrators". The channel "seemed completely legitimate, and we refused to comply, despite the obvious personal risks I'm taking", he added. Durov was allowed in March to travel to Dubai, where his company is based, but French judicial authorities have more recently stopped him travelling to the United States to meet investors or to Norway for the Freedom Forum, organised by the Human Rights Foundation, a non-profit organisation. He called the investigation "frustratingly slow", adding that Telegram was "held at higher standards than most other platforms" -- with the likes of Facebook or Snapchat "protected by this big American government". Since his arrest, Durov had appeared to bow to Paris's demands for stronger efforts to ensure illegal content -- such as child abuse and drug trading -- was not on Telegram.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Telegram's Durov repeats claim France interfered in Romania vote
The co-founder and CEO of the Telegram messaging app, Pavel Durov, on Tuesday repeated his allegation that French intelligence pressured him to interfere in this month's Romanian presidential election. Durov's renewed claim during the Oslo Freedom Forum contradicted a denial by the DGSE, the foreign intelligence service of France, where he faces charges related to criminal activity on the Telegram platform. "I was indeed asked by the head of French intelligence, Nicolas Lerner", to turn off conservative Romanian Telegram channels ahead of the election, Durov said in an appearance by video after French judicial authorities denied his request to travel to Norway. "It's very important to be very transparent about what kinds of request we receive," added Durov, who did not provide fresh evidence for his claim. The 40-year-old, who holds French and Russian passports, was detained in Paris in August 2024 and is under investigation over illegal content on his popular messaging service. The Romanian election, re-run due to alleged Russian interference after a first-round vote put a far-right candidate ahead, ultimately saw pro-European centrist Nicusor Dan defeat nationalist George Simion. Romania's constitutional court on Thursday denied Simion's challenge to the results, which he based in part on claims of French and Moldovan interference. The court called his allegations "completely false and unfounded". The DGSE last week said it has contacted Durov in the past "to firmly remind him of (Telegram's) responsibilities... concerning prevention of terrorist and child pornography threats". But it "refuted vigorously" his allegations about attempted Romanian election interference. Durov also said Tuesday that Telegram "received a demand from the French police to shut down a public channel on Telegram which was organised by far-left protesters and demonstrators". The channel "seemed completely legitimate, and we refused to comply, despite the obvious personal risks I'm taking", he added. Durov was allowed in March to travel to Dubai, where his company is based, but French judicial authorities have more recently stopped him travelling to the United States to meet investors or to Norway for the Freedom Forum, organised by the Human Rights Foundation, a non-profit organisation. He called the investigation "frustratingly slow", adding that Telegram was "held at higher standards than most other platforms" -- with the likes of Facebook or Snapchat "protected by this big American government". Since his arrest, Durov had appeared to bow to Paris's demands for stronger efforts to ensure illegal content -- such as child abuse and drug trading -- was not on Telegram. tgb/jhb
Int'l Business Times
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Telegram's Durov Repeats Claim France Interfered In Romania Vote
The co-founder and CEO of the Telegram messaging app, Pavel Durov, on Tuesday repeated his allegation that French intelligence pressured him to interfere in this month's Romanian presidential election. Durov's renewed claim during the Oslo Freedom Forum contradicted a denial by the DGSE, the foreign intelligence service of France, where he faces charges related to criminal activity on the Telegram platform. "I was indeed asked by the head of French intelligence, Nicolas Lerner", to turn off conservative Romanian Telegram channels ahead of the election, Durov said in an appearance by video after French judicial authorities denied his request to travel to Norway. "It's very important to be very transparent about what kinds of request we receive," added Durov, who did not provide fresh evidence for his claim. The 40-year-old, who holds French and Russian passports, was detained in Paris in August 2024 and is under investigation over illegal content on his popular messaging service. The Romanian election, re-run due to alleged Russian interference after a first-round vote put a far-right candidate ahead, ultimately saw pro-European centrist Nicusor Dan defeat nationalist George Simion. Romania's constitutional court on Thursday denied Simion's challenge to the results, which he based in part on claims of French and Moldovan interference. The court called his allegations "completely false and unfounded". The DGSE last week said it has contacted Durov in the past "to firmly remind him of (Telegram's) responsibilities... concerning prevention of terrorist and child pornography threats". But it "refuted vigorously" his allegations about attempted Romanian election interference. Durov also said Tuesday that Telegram "received a demand from the French police to shut down a public channel on Telegram which was organised by far-left protesters and demonstrators". The channel "seemed completely legitimate, and we refused to comply, despite the obvious personal risks I'm taking", he added. Durov was allowed in March to travel to Dubai, where his company is based, but French judicial authorities have more recently stopped him travelling to the United States to meet investors or to Norway for the Freedom Forum, organised by the Human Rights Foundation, a non-profit organisation. He called the investigation "frustratingly slow", adding that Telegram was "held at higher standards than most other platforms" -- with the likes of Facebook or Snapchat "protected by this big American government". Since his arrest, Durov had appeared to bow to Paris's demands for stronger efforts to ensure illegal content -- such as child abuse and drug trading -- was not on Telegram.
Local France
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Local France
French court blocks Telegram founder from Norway trip
Durov, 40, was detained in Paris in 2024 and is under formal investigation over illegal content on his popular messaging service. He had been due to speak at the Oslo Freedom Forum on Tuesday, addressing the annual gathering on the subject of free speech, surveillance and digital rights. But organisers the Human Rights Foundation said he had been stopped from travelling in person by a French court. He will now address the event virtually, they added. "It is unfortunate that French courts would block Mr Durov from participating in an event where his voice is so needed," HRF founder and CEO Thor Halvorssen said. "Technologies like Telegram are basic tools for those resisting tyranny. This is more than a disappointment for our community; it is a setback for freedom." In March, Durov was allowed to leave France and travel to Dubai, where his company is based. Earlier this week however, he was stopped from going to the United States to talk with investment funds. Advertisement Since his arrest, Durov had appeared to bow to Paris's demands for stronger efforts to ensure illegal content -- such as child abuse and drug trading -- was not on Telegram. But he has also alleged that the head of France's DGSE overseas intelligence service had asked him to ban pro-Russian accounts from the platform before recent presidential elections in Romania. The DGSE has rejected the claims.
