Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov has criticized French authorities following his recent arrest, labeling the allegations against him as “misguided.”
Detained on August 25th at a Paris airport, Durov faces formal investigation in France over claims that Telegram facilitated illicit transactions, drug trafficking, fraud, and the distribution of child sexual abuse images.
In his statement, published on Telegram, Durov disputed claims that the platform operates as an “anarchic paradise,” asserting that the accusations are “absolutely untrue.”
He described the legal approach of holding him accountable for third-party abuses on Telegram as “surprising” and “misguided.”
“If a country is unhappy with an Internet service, the established practice is to start a legal action against the service itself,” Durov explained. He argued that using outdated laws to charge a CEO for misuse of a platform undermines innovation.
Durov acknowledged Telegram’s imperfections but defended the app’s efforts in moderating content. “We take down millions of harmful posts and channels every day,” he stated, countering claims that Telegram is ineffective at managing extremist and illegal content.
The app allows large groups, which critics say facilitates the spread of misinformation and illegal content.
Despite the scrutiny Telegram has faced, including recent criticism for hosting far-right channels involved in violent incidents in the UK, Durov admitted the platform has struggled with “growing pains” due to its rapid user expansion.
He committed to enhancing moderation efforts in response to these challenges.
Durov, 39, is a Russian-born French citizen now residing in Dubai, where Telegram is based.
Founded in 2013, Telegram is a major social media platform, particularly popular in Russia and former Soviet states. The app was briefly banned in Russia in 2018 but the ban was lifted in 2021.
Source-BBC
