Telegram founder Pavel Durov has provided an update on his legal case in France, highlighting the lack of evidence against him.
Escalation of Legal Issues
Durov stated in a Telegram post that his arrest last month by French police was "unprecedented" and "legally absurd." He asserted that a year later, the investigation has failed to uncover any wrongdoing by him or Telegram. According to him, the platform’s moderation practices comply with industry standards, and Telegram has always responded to all legally binding requests from France.
Assessment of French Authorities' Actions
Durov is still required to report to France every two weeks and has no date for an appeal, describing the situation as a "weird detention" causing "irreparable damage" to France’s reputation as a free country. Criticism of the French government's actions has also come from human rights activists and free speech advocates.
Growing Popularity of TON and Web3
Telegram has become a hub for Web3 activity thanks to its integration with The Open Network (TON). The native token Toncoin ranks as the twenty-first largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization. User activity on TON surged following Durov's arrest, although engagement has since declined. Under recent court rulings, Durov may only travel to Dubai where Telegram’s headquarters are located.
The situation involving Pavel Durov highlights the increasing tension between law enforcement and tech platforms regarding responsibility for online content, as well as the growing scrutiny by governments over social media services.
