Telegram has publicly defended its CEO, Pavel Durov, who was detained by French police at an airport near Paris on Saturday, stating that Durov has “nothing to hide”. The billionaire was arrested under a warrant relating to allegations of insufficient moderation on the messaging app, which critics claim has failed to curtail criminal activity, including drug trafficking, child sexual content, and fraud.
The investigation centers on Telegram’s alleged non-compliance with law enforcement, particularly in relation to illegal content circulating on the platform. Authorities argue that Telegram’s moderation policies have been inadequate in preventing the spread of harmful material, and Durov is being held accountable for this oversight. The app has been previously accused of enabling the spread of extremist content, misinformation, and facilitating illegal networks.
In response to the arrest, Telegram released a statement condemning the accusations as “absurd”, asserting that their moderation practices meet industry standards and are continuously improving. The company further emphasized that it should not be held responsible for every misuse of its platform, which currently serves almost a billion users worldwide. Telegram also noted its compliance with European Union laws, including the Digital Services Act, which mandates a safe and accountable online environment.
Pavel Durov’s detention has sparked reactions from both Russian officials and the tech community, with the Russian foreign ministry expressing concerns over the arrest of their citizen. The Russian embassy in France has sought to clarify the reasons behind Durov’s detention and ensure his rights are protected, despite no formal request from Durov’s representatives.
The arrest has also raised broader discussions around the responsibilities of platform owners in moderating content, particularly on apps like Telegram that enable large group communications. The platform allows groups of up to 200,000 members, a feature that critics argue makes it easier for conspiracy theories, extremist views, and other harmful content to spread. Telegram has faced scrutiny in multiple countries, including the UK, where it was linked to organizing far-right violence earlier this month.
While Telegram removed some problematic groups, experts believe the app’s moderation system is less robust than those of other social media giants like Facebook and Twitter. Despite these concerns, Telegram maintains that it continuously evolves its moderation policies and operates within legal frameworks.
As the situation unfolds, many in the tech community are closely watching Durov’s case, with prominent figures like Edward Snowden and Elon Musk expressing their opinions. Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter), even posted the hashtag #freepavel, criticizing what he perceives as growing censorship in Europe.
For further updates on this developing story, read more at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg2kz9kn93o
