2024-08-26
Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of
Telegram, was arrested in France on August 24, 2024, at Paris-Le Bourget
Airport.
The arrest was based on a warrant
issued by French authorities, who allege that Telegram has been used for
various criminal activities, including money laundering, drug trafficking, and
the distribution of illegal content such as child exploitation material.
The investigation centers on whether
Durov failed to implement adequate moderation measures on Telegram, making him
allegedly complicit in these crimes.
French authorities have long criticized
Telegram for its lack of cooperation with law enforcement and its insufficient
efforts to curb illegal activities on its platform.
Telegram has denied the allegations, stating that it complies with European Union laws and that it has nothing to hide.
On August 25, 2024, Telegram has
released an official statement regarding the detention of its CEO, Pavel Durov.
Telegram stated that Telegram abides by
EU laws. It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for
abuse of that platform, we’re awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation.
The details surrounding Durov’s detention
remain somewhat unclear, as French authorities have not fully cooperated with
the Russian embassy regarding his status1.
The official statement from Telegram
was posted on their Telegram News channel and expressed strong support for
Durov, hoping for a swift resolution to the situation.
Durov has been detained by French authorities in Paris. They are expected to provide an official statement on the matter on Monday, August 26.
Meanwhile, Telegram has emphasized its compliance with EU laws, including the Digital Services Act, and has questioned the grounds for France’s detention of Durov.
