About this podcast

Dive deep into the mind of Pavel Durov, the enigmatic founder and CEO of Telegram, in this compelling episode of the Lex Fridman Podcast. This conversation explores the core philosophies behind Telegram's creation, focusing on the relentless pursuit of freedom of speech and user privacy against powerful governmental pressures. Durov shares insights into his disciplined lifestyle, the engineering marvel behind Telegram's rapid innovation, and his steadfast commitment to protecting human communication from surveillance and censorship. The discussion spans philosophical reflections on liberty, life, human nature, and the complexities of power and corruption, intertwined with technical deep dives into Telegram's architecture, encryption, and open-source ethos. Discover the challenges of building a global platform while upholding principles of freedom, and the personal sacrifices involved in defending these values.