Messaging app Telegram announced that its CEO, Pavel Durov, who was detained in France on Saturday, has “nothing to cover up.”
According to officials, Durov was arrested at a Paris airport due to a warrant related to the app’s activities.
The investigation is focused on Telegram’s lack of moderation, with Durov accused of not doing enough to prevent criminal activities on the platform.
This includes issues like drug trafficking, child exploitation, and fraud.
Telegram defended itself by saying that its moderation practices are in line with industry standards and are continuously improving.
The company argued that blaming a platform or its owner for misuse is unreasonable. Telegram emphasized that it follows European laws, including the Digital Services Act, which ensures safe online environments.
The app, which is widely used in Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet countries, stated that nearly a billion people globally rely on Telegram for communication and important information.
Telegram also expressed hope for a quick resolution to Durov’s situation, reaffirming its commitment to its users.
Durov’s detention has been extended and could last up to 96 hours. Born in Russia and now residing in Dubai, Durov holds UAE and French citizenship.
He founded Telegram in 2013 and left Russia in 2014 after refusing government demands to shut down opposition groups on his previous platform, VKontakte.
Russia still considers Durov a citizen and is trying to clarify his detention through its embassy in France, although French authorities have not been cooperative.
Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova questioned whether Western human rights groups would remain silent on Durov’s arrest, especially after criticizing Russia’s actions against Telegram in 2018.
Telegram has faced criticism for hosting far-right channels and other harmful content. While the app has removed some groups, cybersecurity experts argue that its moderation of illegal and extremist content remains much weaker compared to other social media platforms.
This news summary is based on information from BBC.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp8ne8r1yy0o