- Pavel Durov faces further investigation in France into alleged criminal activities
- French authorities have imposed preliminary charges on the Telegram founder, indicating substantial evidence of potential wrongdoing
- Durov has been barred from leaving France, with further investigation pending before a trial decision is made
Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram, is under continued investigation by French authorities following accusations that the messaging platform he founded has facilitated criminal activities. The Russian-born entrepreneur, who became a French citizen in 2021, was detained in France after landing at Le Bourget airport near Paris on Saturday. French magistrates have imposed preliminary charges, suggesting there is substantial evidence of potential wrongdoing, but allowing more time for further investigation before deciding whether to proceed to trial.
Durov Accused of Allowing Illegal Material on Telegram
Durov’s arrest has led to an outcry from privacy advocates worldwide, with theories ranging from the conspiratorial to the downright fanciful popping up on social media. The allegations against Durov and Telegram are serious, with claims that the platform has been used for distributing child sexual abuse material and by organized crime networks involved in drug trafficking and fraud.
Furthermore, Telegram has been accused of refusing to cooperate with investigators by withholding crucial information and documents. Durov has been barred from leaving France while the investigation proceeds but has avoided custody after posting a €5 million bail. The TON blockchain associated with Telegram, but not operated by it, has experienced two outages since Durov’s arrest.
Telegram Says it Complies With Laws
In response to these allegations, Telegram has asserted that it complies with EU laws and that its content moderation efforts are “within industry standards and constantly improving.” The company dismissed the notion that a platform or its owner could be held responsible for the misuse of the platform by others.
Durov’s arrest has sparked significant reactions in Russia, where his detention has been met with protests and claims of political motivation. Russian officials have accused Western governments of double standards regarding freedom of speech, noting that Russia attempted, but failed, to block Telegram in 2018, lifting the ban in 2020.
Macron Denies Political Motive
The arrest has also drawn attention from other figures, including controversial influencer Andrew Tate, who likened his own legal troubles to those faced by Durov, calling both their arrests a ‘plot to enslave us all’. French President Emmanuel Macron has denied any political motivations behind Durov’s arrest, affirming France’s commitment to freedom of expression within the bounds of the law:
I have seen false information regarding France following the arrest of Pavel Durov.
France is deeply committed to freedom of expression and communication, to innovation, and to the spirit of entrepreneurship. It will remain so.
In a state governed by the rule of law,…
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 26, 2024
Telegram, which Durov founded after selling his stake in the Russian social network VKontakte, has grown to nearly a billion users worldwide. While it remains a crucial platform for communication, particularly in Russia and Ukraine, it has also been criticized for its lax content moderation, which some argue makes it a haven for criminal activity.
The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for both Durov and Telegram, as well as for the broader debate over the responsibilities of tech platforms in policing content and preventing misuse.
