Durov Responds to French Authorities Following Arrest

Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov has spoken out against his recent arrest by French authorities, describing the allegations against him as “misguided”. Durov was arrested on August 25 at an airport near Paris, in connection with accusations regarding insufficient moderation of content on Telegram. The charges include suspected complicity in illicit transactions, drug trafficking, fraud, and the spread of child sexual abuse materials on the platform.

In his first public statement since the incident, Durov firmly denied accusations that Telegram is an “anarchic paradise,” calling the claims “absolutely untrue”. He emphasized that holding him personally accountable for the illegal activities of others on the platform was a surprising and flawed legal approach.

The Legal Implications of Durov’s Investigation

Durov’s arrest has sparked a formal investigation, but it’s important to note that under French law, being placed under formal investigation does not imply guilt. It indicates that the judiciary believes there is sufficient evidence to proceed with further inquiries. However, this does not necessarily result in a trial.

In his Telegram statement, Durov argued that it is unreasonable to charge a CEO with crimes carried out by third parties using the platform. He criticized the use of outdated legal frameworks, saying: “Using laws from the pre-smartphone era to charge a CEO with crimes committed by third parties on the platform he manages is a misguided approach.”

Moderation and Challenges on Telegram

Durov acknowledged that Telegram, like other tech platforms, is not without flaws. He pointed to the exponential growth of the app’s user base, now reaching 950 million users, as a contributing factor to moderation difficulties. The platform has faced increasing scrutiny over its perceived leniency in moderating extremist and illegal content. Telegram has been criticized for allowing groups with up to 200,000 members, which can lead to the rapid spread of misinformation, conspiracy theories, and illegal content.

While Durov admitted that criminal activity can occasionally exploit the platform’s size and scope, he insisted that Telegram actively works to remove harmful content. “We take down millions of harmful posts and channels every day,” he said, refuting claims that the app is a haven for illegal activity. He also emphasized that French authorities have numerous avenues to reach him and his team to address any concerns.

Telegram’s Struggles with Extremist and Illegal Content

Telegram has been in the spotlight in multiple countries due to its content moderation policies. In the UK, the platform faced criticism for hosting far-right channels that played a role in organizing violent events in English cities. Although Telegram has removed some of these channels, experts suggest that its system for moderating extremist and illegal content is weaker compared to other major platforms like Facebook, YouTube, or WhatsApp.

Recent reports also revealed that Telegram refused to participate in international initiatives aimed at detecting and eliminating child abuse materials online. This decision has fueled further criticism of the platform’s handling of illegal content.

Telegram’s Global Reach and Durov’s Commitment to Improvement

Founded in 2013 by Pavel Durov, Telegram has grown into one of the most widely-used messaging apps, particularly in Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet Union countries. Despite being banned in Russia in 2018 for refusing to share user data, the app has since been reinstated in the country.

Durov, who holds citizenship in the United Arab Emirates and France, now resides in Dubai, where Telegram is based. The app ranks among the top global social media platforms, following giants like Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, and Instagram.

In his statement, Durov promised to make significant improvements to Telegram’s moderation systems, particularly in light of the challenges posed by the platform’s rapid expansion. He concluded by stressing that innovation in technology must be supported by a reasonable legal framework, ensuring that tech entrepreneurs are not unfairly penalized for the actions of users.

Durov’s response highlights the ongoing debate over the responsibility of platform owners in managing illegal content and the balance between innovation and accountability in the tech industry.