Telegram founder Pavel Durov is under formal investigation in France as part of a criminal probe related to organized crime on the messaging app, according to BBC.
Although Durov, 39, has not been jailed, he is under judicial supervision, with restrictions like staying in France, reporting to a police station twice a week, and paying a €5m deposit, BBC reported.
Durov, who was detained upon arriving at an airport near Paris, faces charges including complicity in running an online platform for illegal transactions and refusing to cooperate with authorities, BBC shared. These charges also involve claims related to the distribution of child sexual abuse images, according to BBC.
While being under investigation doesn’t automatically mean guilt or lead to a trial, French prosecutors believe there’s enough evidence to proceed, BBC explained.
Durov hasn’t commented on the situation, but his lawyer emphasized that Telegram complies with European digital laws and claimed the accusations against him are baseless, BBC reported.
This case has sparked an intense debate about freedom of speech and accountability, especially since it’s unusual for a social media platform owner to be arrested due to how their platform is used, BBC highlighted. Even prominent figures like Elon Musk have defended Durov, calling moderation a form of censorship, BBC mentioned.
Despite these challenges, Telegram, now based in Dubai, insists that its moderation practices meet industry standards, BBC noted.
Meanwhile, France’s President Macron stated that holding Durov is not a political move, and the case has drawn attention to the broader issue of how platforms handle harmful content, BBC reported.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c985ppy0znyo