Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov has come out swinging against French authorities following his recent arrest in Paris. Durov, who was detained on August 25th, has been placed under formal investigation for suspected complicity in illicit activities on the messaging app.
In a bold statement released on Telegram, Durov denied claims that the platform is an “anarchic paradise” and criticized the French authorities for holding him personally responsible for crimes committed by third parties on the app. The Russian-born billionaire, who is also a French national, argued that targeting him instead of the service itself is a “misguided approach.”
While acknowledging that Telegram is not perfect, Durov emphasized that the app takes down millions of harmful posts and channels every day. However, critics have raised concerns about the platform’s moderation policies, particularly its allowance of groups with up to 200,000 members, which some argue makes it easier for misinformation and illegal content to spread.
Durov admitted that the rapid increase in Telegram’s user base, now at 950 million, has caused challenges in moderating the platform. He pledged to “significantly improve things in this regard” moving forward.
The controversy surrounding Telegram is not new, as the app has faced scrutiny in various countries for hosting extremist and illegal content. In the UK, far-right channels on the platform were reportedly involved in organizing violent disorder last month.
Despite the challenges, Telegram remains a major player in the social media landscape, particularly in Russia, Ukraine, and former Soviet Union states. Durov, who now resides in Dubai where Telegram is based, has been at the helm of the platform since its founding in 2013.
As the investigation into Durov’s alleged involvement in illicit activities continues, the future of Telegram and its role in the online community remains uncertain.
