Telegram co-founder and CEO Pavel Durov has been “arrested” in France on suspicion of failing to take action to prevent criminal use of the messaging app.
Various rumors are circulating about the nature of the investigation and the future of the app, including false claims that it will be removed from the App Store and automatically deleted from users’ phones…
BBC News reports.
Telegram boss Pavel Durov was arrested by French police at an airport north of Paris. French media reported that Mr Durov was arrested after his private jet landed at Le Bourget airport.
According to authorities, the 39-year-old billionaire was arrested on a warrant for crimes related to the popular messaging app. The investigation reportedly centers on a lack of moderation. Mr. Durov is accused of failing to take measures to curb the criminal use of Telegram.
The app is accused of a lack of cooperation with law enforcement regarding drug trafficking, sexual content involving children and fraud.
Telegram was banned in Russia in 2018, but the ban was lifted in 2021.
The Russian government expressed concern about the arrest.
On Sunday, the Russian Embassy in France wrote on Facebook that it was trying to “clarify the reasons for the detention, ensure the protection of Mr. Durov’s rights and facilitate consular access.” The post added that French authorities had not cooperated with Russian officials (…)
Several Russian politicians condemned the businessman’s arrest, saying it showed that the West had double standards when it came to freedom of expression and democracy.
Telegram tweeted a statement that it complies with all EU laws.
Telegram complies with EU laws, including the Digital Services Act. Its moderation is in line with industry standards and is constantly being improved.
Telegram’s CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently through Europe.
It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner is responsible for the misuse of that platform.
Very little is known about the nature of the investigation, which leads to a lot of speculation.
For example Reuters One source suggested that the judge in charge of the investigation specializes in organized crime. Others claim that France prevented Russian embassy staff from visiting him to offer him consular assistance.
Fake reports of removal from the App Store
There are false reports that Telegram will be removed from the App Store and automatically deleted from users’ phones.
The graphic attached to these posts is a fake Facebook post from 2021. It may have its origins in the Russian ban of 2018.
Photo by Adem AY on Unsplash
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