Pavel Durov, the CEO and founder of Telegram, has released his first statement since his arrest in France last month. His comments shed light on his position regarding the allegations and the future of the platform.
Pavel Durov's Statement
Durov's comments, delivered through his official Telegram channel, come in the wake of legal issues in France where he faces serious charges. > "I'm still trying to understand what happened in France. But we hear the concerns. I made it my personal goal to prevent abusers of Telegram's platform from interfering with the future of our 950+ million users." - Pavel Durov (@durov), [September 5, 2024](https://twitter.com/durov/status/1831826862936633657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) Despite these challenges, Durov remains steadfast in his defense of Telegram’s privacy policies and operational practices.
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 rather than following established procedures. The Telegram CEO argued that using outdated legal frameworks to hold a CEO accountable for third-party activities on their platform is a flawed approach. > "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." - Pavel Durov Durov also hinted at potential changes in Telegram’s market strategy, suggesting that the platform may withdraw from markets that compromise its core principles.
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. Durov’s arrest ignited an international debate about freedom of speech and privacy, involving figures such as Elon Musk and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Despite current legal challenges, Pavel Durov remains committed to defending his principles and Telegram's policies, emphasizing the importance of privacy and security for the platform. His stance remains firm even in the face of serious allegations and international attention.
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