Pavel Durov, the CEO and co-founder of Telegram, has broken his silence following his arrest in France on August 25, 2024. Durov, who has been placed under formal investigation for allegedly allowing illegal activities such as drug trafficking and the spread of child sexual abuse material on the platform, called the charges “misguided” and a “surprising” move by French authorities.
Durov Denies Personal Responsibility for Crimes on Telegram
In a statement posted on Telegram, Durov, 39, expressed frustration over being held personally responsible for crimes committed by third parties on his platform. He argued that charging him under outdated laws “from the pre-smartphone era” was a misstep. Durov emphasized that while Telegram, like any large platform, faces challenges in content moderation, it should not be viewed as an “anarchic paradise.”
“Building technology is hard enough as it is. No innovator will ever build new tools if they know they can be personally held responsible for potential abuse of those tools,” Durov said.
French Legal System Puts Innovation at Risk, Durov Says
Durov, who also holds French citizenship, warned that France’s approach could have a chilling effect on tech innovation. He highlighted that if a country has concerns about a platform’s operations, it should take legal action against the service itself, rather than targeting the CEO directly.
Telegram, which allows groups of up to 200,000 members, has often been criticized for its lack of strong content moderation, with claims that it facilitates the spread of extremist, conspiracist, and illegal content. However, Durov pushed back against these criticisms, noting that Telegram removes “millions of harmful posts and channels every day.”
Growing Pains Due to Telegram’s Rapid Growth
Telegram has seen rapid user growth, which Durov acknowledged has made it easier for criminals to exploit the platform. He revealed that Telegram now boasts 950 million users globally, contributing to an “abrupt increase” in criminal activities on the platform. However, he promised improvements in content moderation and vowed to take more decisive steps to curb illegal activities.
“We’ve already started that process internally, and I will share more details on our progress very soon,” Durov added.
Telegram’s Controversial Role in Global Communications
Since its inception in 2013, Telegram has garnered a significant user base in Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet states. The app was even banned in Russia in 2018 for refusing to hand over user data but was later reinstated in 2021. Despite its popularity, it remains a highly controversial platform, particularly for its hands-off moderation style.
Arrest Puts Social Media Regulation in the Spotlight
Durov’s arrest has sparked global discussions about free speech and the regulation of social media platforms. With Elon Musk also engaged in public debates over what he sees as censorship on his platform X (formerly Twitter), the issue of where to draw the line between free speech and criminality is more relevant than ever.
For additional tips on managing online communications, you might find it helpful to know how to report someone on Telegram or how to handle spoilers in Telegram chats. These resources can help you navigate various online platforms effectively.
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FAQ
- Why was Pavel Durov arrested?
Durov was arrested due to allegations of insufficient moderation on Telegram, leading to criminal activities such as drug trafficking and the spread of child abuse materials. - What is Durov’s response to the charges?
Durov called the charges “misguided” and emphasized that he shouldn’t be personally held responsible for crimes committed by users on his platform.
