Pavel Durov, the CEO and founder of Telegram, has spoken out for the first time since his arrest in France last month.
Privacy Under Scrutiny
According to Durov, Telegram has established channels for handling law enforcement requests. 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 The Telegram CEO argued that using outdated legal frameworks to hold a CEO accountable for third-party activities on their platform is a flawed approach. In his statement, Durov emphasized that Telegram is not an "anarchic paradise" as some media reports have suggested. He asserted that the platform actively removes harmful content, including millions of posts and channels daily.
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.
Future Plans
Despite these challenges, Durov remains steadfast in his defense of Telegram's privacy policies and operational practices. He stated that Telegram strives to balance privacy and security, consistently addressing problematic content while upholding its commitment to user privacy. Durov also hinted at potential changes in Telegram's market strategy, suggesting that the platform may withdraw from markets that compromise its core principles. He cited previous instances where Telegram had faced bans in Russia and Iran due to its refusal to comply with government demands for user data.
In his statement, Durov expressed his determination to protect Telegram users and continue the fight for privacy and freedom of speech despite legal and regulatory challenges.
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