French Government Websites Hit by Massive DDoS Attack
French government websites have been hit by a wave of denial of service (DDoS) attacks, causing several key sites to go offline. Among the affected were the Administrative Court of Paris, the French Health Department’s ansm.sante.fr, and the Court of Cassation. At the time of this report, attempts to access these sites were met with security warnings, indicating serious disruptions.
Russian Hacker Group Suspected
Initial investigations suggest that the attacks might be connected to a Russian hacker group. This cyber onslaught appears to be linked to recent political tensions involving Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, who was arrested in France on August 24.
Macron Defends the Arrest: Not Politically Motivated
In response to the arrest, French President Emmanuel Macron stated on August 26 that Durov’s detention was not politically motivated. Macron emphasized France’s commitment to freedom of speech and assured that the case would be handled by the country’s independent judiciary, rather than influenced by political agendas.
However, Macron’s defense has sparked significant backlash from both the crypto community and free speech advocates. Gabor Gurbacs, former director of digital asset strategy at VanEck, criticized the arrest, questioning whether it aligns with the principles of rule of law and freedom of expression. “You arrest the guy then see if he did something wrong? Is this the ‘rule of law’ and ‘freedom of expression’ you are talking about?” Gurbacs tweeted.
Industry Leaders Speak Out
The arrest of Pavel Durov has drawn reactions from notable figures in the tech and crypto industries. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin expressed concern over the implications for software and communication freedoms in Europe. Despite his criticisms of Telegram’s encryption practices, Buterin voiced his worry about the charges against Durov, suggesting they might be rooted in the platform’s moderation policies rather than substantive legal issues.
Billionaire industrialist Elon Musk also joined the chorus calling for Durov’s release, highlighting the broader implications of the case for digital freedom and innovation.
Legal Status of Durov
As of August 26, French prosecutors have indicated that Durov could be held until August 28 for questioning. The inquiry involves crimes allegedly committed by an “unnamed person” said to be using the Telegram platform. To date, Durov has not been formally charged with any crime, and no legal wrongdoing has been demonstrated by French officials.
Ongoing Controversy
The situation continues to evolve, with the arrest and subsequent cyberattacks highlighting tensions between government actions and the principles of digital freedom. As France navigates these complex issues, the international community remains watchful, particularly regarding the implications for free speech and the role of digital platforms in global governance.
