Pavel Durov on His Arrest and the Future of Telegram

by Giorgi Kostiuk

a year ago

Privacy Under Scrutiny
Legal and Regulatory Responses
Future of Telegram

Pavel Durov, the CEO and founder of Telegram, has spoken out for the first time since his arrest in France last month. His comments, delivered via his official Telegram channel, come in the wake of legal issues in France where he faces serious charges.

Privacy Under Scrutiny

According to Durov, Telegram established channels for handling requests from law enforcement agencies. He criticized French authorities for bypassing these channels and addressing him personally instead of following established procedures. In fulfilling its mission, Telegram strives to balance privacy and security, consistently removing problematic content. Durov also mentioned that the platform actively removes harmful content, including millions of posts and channels daily.

You have to take into account technological limitations. As a platform, you want your processes to be consistent globally, while also ensuring they are not abused in countries with weak rule of law. We’ve been committed to engaging with regulators to find the right balance. Yes, we stand by our principles: our experience is shaped by our mission to protect our users in authoritarian regimes.Pavel Durov

Legal and Regulatory Responses

The legal trouble for Durov began in August 2024, when he was detained in France amid an investigation into serious allegations, including child sexual abuse images and drug trafficking. Although he was granted bail, the conditions include regular reporting to police and restrictions on his movement.

Future of Telegram

Durov also hinted at potential changes in Telegram’s market strategy, suggesting that the platform may withdraw from markets that compromise its core principles. Previously, Telegram faced bans in Russia and Iran due to its refusal to comply with government demands for user data.

Despite current challenges, Durov remains steadfast in his defense of Telegram’s privacy policies and operational practices, continuing to seek a balance between security and respect for user privacy.

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