Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, is currently facing legal charges in France concerning various criminal activities allegedly facilitated through his messaging platform. The French court claims that Durov has not taken adequate measures to prevent the dissemination of child sexual abuse material, drug trafficking, and other illegal activities on Telegram.
In an official statement, Paris prosecutors accused Durov of neglecting to provide requested documents to authorities. He is charged with “dissemination of images of minors in child pornography,” drug trafficking, fraud, and money laundering. These charges imply that Telegram, under Durov’s leadership, has been uncooperative with law enforcement, including his alleged refusal to assist in establishing wiretaps on criminal suspects. Furthermore, the platform is accused of enabling illegal transactions conducted by gangs and organized crime networks.
Durov was arrested on Saturday but has since been released on bail with specific conditions: he must remain in France and report to a police station twice a week. The court has also mandated a bail payment of $5.6 million.
In response to the allegations, Telegram issued a statement asserting that Durov has “nothing to hide” and emphasized that the app adheres to European laws. The statement described the claims as “absurd,” arguing that a platform or its owner should not be held accountable for the misuse of that platform. Telegram expressed hope for a swift resolution to the situation.
This case has reignited discussions regarding the boundaries of free speech and the enforcement of laws on digital platforms. It underscores the complex dynamics between governments and messaging services like Telegram, which has nearly 1 billion users. The situation serves as a cautionary tale for tech companies that may resist cooperating with authorities regarding alleged illegal activities on their platforms.
Additionally, Durov is under investigation for “serious acts of violence” towards one of his children while in Paris with an ex-partner, who filed a separate complaint against him in Switzerland last year.
