Pavel Durov, the creator of the encrypted messaging app, was apprehended upon the arrival of his private jet at Le Bourget airport on the outskirts of Paris on Saturday. This action has faced criticism from certain Russian government officials.
The arrest of the billionaire Telegram founder on French soil was not a politically motivated action, according to the country’s president.
Pavel Durov, the creator of the encrypted messaging app, was apprehended upon the arrival of his private jet at Le Bourget airport on the outskirts of Paris on Saturday.
The individual in question has been apprehended and is currently being held as part of an ongoing investigation into cybercriminal activities. The charges being investigated include involvement in illicit transactions, possession of child sexual abuse images, and fraud. The prosecutor in Paris affirmed this information.
In his first public statement regarding the issue, President Emmanuel Macron expressed his country’s strong dedication to the principle of freedom of expression. However, he emphasised the importance of upholding these freedoms within the boundaries of the law, both online and offline, in order to safeguard citizens and uphold their fundamental rights.
He strongly refuted any misinformation regarding Durov’s arrest, clarifying that the arrest of the president of Telegram on French soil was a result of an ongoing judicial investigation. There are no political considerations in this decision. The final decision rests with the judges.
Russian government officials have expressed their strong disapproval of Durov’s arrest, with some speculating that it was politically motivated and highlighting the perceived inconsistency of Western nations when it comes to freedom of speech.
However, this has caused concern among critics of the Kremlin. In 2018, Russian authorities attempted to block Telegram but were unsuccessful, leading them to eventually lift the ban in 2020.
Telegram assures its users that it operates transparently and in accordance with EU laws, including the Digital Services Act. The platform emphasises that its moderation practices adhere to industry standards and are consistently being enhanced.
“It is unfounded to assert that a platform or its owner bears responsibility for the misuse of that platform,” stated Telegram in their post.
“Telegram is a popular messaging platform with a large user base of nearly a billion people worldwide. It serves as a reliable tool for communication and accessing crucial information.” We are eager for a prompt resolution of this situation. Telegram is available to assist you at all times.
After the Russian government faced widespread pro-democracy protests in Moscow during 2011 and 2012, Durov and his brother established Telegram. After losing control of his previous social media company, Vkontakte (VK), he decided to step down.
It has quickly become one of the most popular apps globally, with nearly one billion users.
It provides end-to-end encryption, effectively safeguarding data from interception, and places a high emphasis on privacy.
However, these characteristics have unfortunately attracted individuals engaged in illegal activities. Following the Southport stabbings, extremist groups recently misused the platform, causing disturbances and unrest in the UK.