According to French media reports, Pavel Durov, the developer of Telegram, was apprehended at Paris-Le Bourget Airport upon his arrival from Azerbaijan.
The French authorities had issued an arrest warrant for Durov, alleging that he had facilitate illicit activities on his encrypted messaging app. The charges against him include fraud, offenses against minors, and complicity in drug trafficking. His detention is the result of allegations that Telegram failed to adequately moderate unlawful content and that Durov did not cooperate with law enforcement. Sources indicate that he may be sent to pre-trial detention.
The incident underscores the ongoing apprehensions regarding Telegram’s role in facilitating unregulated communication, particularly among Russian speakers.
The app has emerged as a critical medium for the dissemination of information regarding the conflict in Ukraine, and reports suggest that the Russian military also employs it for communication. A substantial alteration to Telegram’s policies could have a profound impact on the dissemination of information concerning the conflict.
Russian officials, including Deputy State Duma Speaker Vladislav Davankov, have expressed their dissatisfaction with Durov’s arrest, positing that it may be politically motivated. They contend that the detention may be an attempt to access the personal data of Telegram users.
Russian authorities have previously exerted pressure on Durov, who became a naturalized French citizen in 2021, for declining to disclose user data from his previous business, VKontakte. Durov, who is currently residing in Dubai, has preserved Telegram’s dedication to privacy in spite of the increasing scrutiny the platform is receiving from governments worldwide.
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