Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of the messaging platform Telegram, voiced his outrage on Thursday following his recent arrest in France.
They are Misguided
Authorities accused him of failing to address the publication of illegal content on the app, prompting Durov to share his thoughts in a lengthy message on Telegram, his first public statement since the incident.
Durov expressed surprise at being held responsible for content posted by other users. '
“Using laws from the pre-smartphone era to charge a CEO for crimes committed by third parties on their platform is misguided,” he stated. He refuted claims that Telegram functions as an “anarchic paradise,” insisting that his team removes millions of harmful messages and channels daily.
Additionally, Durov challenged French allegations that Telegram had not responded to requests for assistance. He claimed to have personally aided French authorities in establishing a hotline to combat terrorist threats in France.
Experience Rapid Growth
Towards the end of his message, Durov acknowledged the rapid growth of Telegram’s user base — now estimated at 950 million — has inadvertently allowed criminals to exploit the platform. He committed to improving the situation, stating that internal discussions were underway, with more details to follow.
Durov warned that if Telegram cannot find a balance between privacy and security with local regulators, the company may consider exiting France.
Following four days in custody, Durov has been charged with multiple offenses related to the messaging app and is currently prohibited from leaving the country. His judicial control includes a hefty bail of five million euros and mandatory check-ins at a police station twice a week.
The Russian government has expressed concern over the charges against Durov, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov cautioning against any political persecution.
Durov’s arrest has garnered support from high-profile figures, including American whistleblower Edward Snowden and tech mogul Elon Musk, who both advocated for his release on social media.
