Russian-born Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has been arrested at Le Bourget Airport outside Paris for allegedly failing to prevent criminal activities on Telegram.
On Monday (August 26), a spokesperson for the encrypted messaging app said it is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform, adding it abides by EU laws including the Digital Services Act.
“Our moderation is within industry standards and constantly improving. Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe. Almost a billion users globally use Telegram as a means of communication and as a source of vital information. We're awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation.”
Telegram has more than 900 million active users. It has been a critical source of information on the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia. The platform offers end-to-end encrypted messaging, and users can set up "channels" to disseminate information quickly to followers.
In a rare interview with US political commentator Tucker Carlson in April, Durov said Telegram's goal is to be a “neutral” platform and resist requests from governments to moderate.
If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison. According to multiple reports, he was arrested on several charges involving alleged spread of criminal activity on Telegram.
Durov lives in Dubai, where Telegram is based, and holds dual citizenship of France and the United Arab Emirates. An entrepreneur worth at least US$15,5 billion, he left Russia in 2014 after refusing to comply with government demands to ban opposition communities on his VKontakte social media platform.
Russia's embassy in France is taking "immediate steps" to clarify the situation.
Edited from various online sources.
