Crypto Holders Targeted: Sharp Rise in Kidnappings Across France
A disturbing trend has emerged in France, raising alarms within the digital asset community. According to a public statement from the founder of the messaging platform Telegram, a staggering 41 kidnapping cases specifically targeting cryptocurrency holders were reported within just the first three and a half months of 2026. This sharp increase has sparked significant security concerns.
Data Leaks: The Potential Hidden Catalyst
The tech executive pointedly suggested that this surge in criminal activity is not coincidental. He questioned whether the root cause might be directly linked to leaks of sensitive information. Analysis indicates that records from certain tax authorities and personal data of crypto investors may have been compromised through unknown channels, potentially falling into the hands of organized crime groups. This precise data enables criminals to easily identify and target high-net-worth individuals for kidnapping and extortion schemes.
“The more data available, the more potential victims there are,” he warned, highlighting the growing link between personal data protection and physical security in the digital age.
Privacy vs. Surveillance: Telegram’s Firm Stance
Concurrently, the founder issued strong criticism against a regulatory proposal under consideration by the French government. This proposal seeks to enhance identity verification for social media users and increase surveillance capabilities over private communications. He argued that such expanded monitoring powers would not solve the underlying issues but would fundamentally increase privacy risks for ordinary users, creating larger pools of data vulnerable to misuse.
Defending a Principle: The Threat of Market Exit
On the matter of privacy principles, he adopted an uncompromising position. He clearly stated that Telegram would not comply with such regulations by providing government agencies with backdoor access or permissions to users’ private conversations. To uphold the encrypted communication rights of its global user base, he even indicated that “withdrawing Telegram entirely from the French market remains a possibility.” This statement underscores the significant dilemma technology companies face between user privacy and government oversight.