Telegram has responded strongly to the arrest of its CEO, Pavel Durov, claiming that the tech mogul “has nothing to hide.” Durov, the founder of the popular messaging platform, was detained at Le Bourget Airport near Paris under a warrant for alleged offenses related to insufficient content moderation on Telegram. The accusations involve Durov’s failure to take adequate steps to prevent the criminal use of the platform, including illegal activities such as drug trafficking, child exploitation, and fraud.
The arrest has sparked controversy over the responsibilities of tech CEOs in moderating content on their platforms. Officials have accused Telegram of not cooperating with law enforcement in addressing criminal content shared on the app. This comes at a time when concerns over online safety and accountability are at an all-time high across Europe.
In a public statement, Telegram defended its practices, asserting that its moderation system “is within industry standards and constantly improving.” The company expressed disbelief over the charges, calling it “absurd” to hold either the platform or its owner responsible for the illegal activities of certain users. Telegram further reiterated its compliance with European Union laws, including the recently enacted Digital Services Act, which aims to create a safer online environment by holding platforms accountable for the content they host.
Durov, 39, was born in Russia but now lives in Dubai, holding citizenships in both the United Arab Emirates and France. Telegram, while based in Dubai, remains highly popular in Russia, Ukraine, and several former Soviet republics. The app was banned in Russia in 2018 after Durov refused to hand over encrypted user data, but the ban was lifted in 2021.
Judicial sources report that Durov’s detention has been extended and could last for up to 96 hours, prompting both public outcry and diplomatic intervention. The Russian Embassy in France has demanded clarification on the arrest and is seeking to provide Durov with consular access, despite the lack of formal requests from his representatives. The Russian Foreign Ministry has criticized French authorities for what it sees as insufficient cooperation in resolving the matter.
In a further twist, Russian officials have condemned Durov’s arrest, calling it an example of double standards in the West’s approach to free speech. This incident has even drawn commentary from prominent figures like American whistleblower Edward Snowden, who called Durov’s detention “an assault on the basic human rights of speech and association.” Elon Musk also weighed in, tweeting multiple posts supporting Durov, including the hashtag #freepavel.
Despite these high-profile reactions, Telegram continues to face criticism over its weak moderation policies. Cybersecurity experts point out that while the platform has removed some groups associated with illegal activities, its moderation is still considerably looser than other social media giants like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Telegram’s allowance of groups with up to 200,000 members has made it a haven for misinformation, extremist content, and conspiracies.
In the UK, the app has come under scrutiny for allegedly hosting far-right channels involved in recent violent disturbances. While Telegram did remove some groups following the disorder, critics argue that the platform’s lax moderation allows harmful content to flourish unchecked.
For more details, you can read the full report on BBC.
