Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has been formally charged by French prosecutors and is prohibited from leaving the country as part of an ongoing investigation. Durov is facing charges of “complicity in distributing child pornography, illegal drugs, and hacking software” via the messaging platform he founded. Additionally, he has been accused of “refusing to cooperate with investigations into illegal activity on Telegram,” according to a report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
Durov was detained by French authorities over the weekend at Bourget airport, located outside Paris. The arrest stems from a preliminary investigation into Telegram’s alleged failure to implement sufficient moderation safeguards, which French authorities claim has facilitated criminal activity on the platform. The focus of the investigation is the app’s apparent lack of moderators, a shortfall that officials believe has allowed illegal content to proliferate.
Following his arrest, Durov was released from police custody after paying €5 million (~RM24.1 million) in bail, but remains under strict court supervision and is required to stay in France. As part of his release conditions, he must check in at a police station twice a week while the investigation continues. The inquiry could be prolonged, potentially lasting months or even years, according to the WSJ.
⚖️ Telegram abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act — its moderation is within industry standards and constantly improving.
✈️ Telegram's CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe.
😵💫 It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner…
— Telegram Messenger (@telegram) August 25, 2024
In response to the charges, Telegram issued a statement defending Durov, asserting that he has “nothing to hide.” The company dismissed the allegations, stating that it is “absurd” to hold the platform accountable for the actions of its users. Telegram maintains that it complies with EU laws, including the Digital Services Act, and insists that its moderation practices meet industry standards and are continually improving.
(Source: WSJ)
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