Telegram has declared that its CEO, Pavel Durov, has “nothing to hide” following his arrest in France on Saturday. Durov, who was detained at Le Bourget Airport north of Paris, faces allegations related to the popular messaging app’s moderation practices. According to officials, Durov is under investigation for failing to curb criminal activities, such as drug trafficking, child sexual exploitation, and fraud, on Telegram.
The investigation has brought renewed attention to the debate over platform responsibility. Telegram is accused of insufficient cooperation with law enforcement, particularly concerning illegal content. However, the company issued a strong defense of its moderation standards, stating that “its moderation is within industry standards and constantly improving.” Telegram also emphasized that blaming a platform’s owner for user abuse of the service is “absurd.”
The core of the investigation revolves around Telegram’s alleged failure to fully adhere to European laws, particularly in relation to content moderation. Officials claim that the platform has been a haven for criminals and extremists, as it allows large groups of up to 200,000 members where harmful content can spread quickly. Critics argue that Telegram’s moderation system is much weaker than that of other major social media platforms.
Telegram responded to the charges by reaffirming its compliance with European Union laws, including the Digital Services Act (DSA), which aims to ensure safer and more accountable online platforms. “Almost a billion users globally rely on Telegram for communication and vital information,” the company said in a statement, adding that it expects a quick resolution to the situation.
Durov’s detention has also sparked diplomatic tensions, especially with Russia, where Telegram enjoys widespread popularity. The Russian Foreign Ministry announced that the Russian embassy in France was working to clarify the reasons for Durov’s arrest and to ensure his legal rights were protected. Although Durov now resides in Dubai and holds both United Arab Emirates and French citizenships, Russia still considers him a citizen due to his origins.
This is not the first time Durov has faced government pressure. In 2018, Telegram was banned in Russia for refusing to provide authorities with access to encrypted communications. The ban was reversed in 2021 after a long standoff, further cementing Durov’s reputation as a staunch defender of privacy and free speech.
In the wake of Durov’s arrest, several high-profile figures, including American whistleblower Edward Snowden and X (formerly Twitter) owner Elon Musk, have voiced their support. Musk, known for his battles over moderation issues on his own platform, posted multiple tweets with the hashtag #freepavel, humorously suggesting that Europeans might face execution for sharing memes in the future.
Telegram has faced increasing scrutiny in the UK and other Western countries for hosting far-right groups and conspiracy theorists. In particular, UK authorities raised concerns after far-right channels on Telegram were instrumental in organizing violent disorder earlier this month. Although some groups were removed, experts argue that Telegram’s efforts to moderate extremist content still lag behind competitors like Facebook and WhatsApp.
As Durov’s detention could last up to 96 hours, the international tech community watches closely, awaiting the outcome of the legal proceedings.
For further updates on the case, visit BBC News.