Pavel Durov, the billionaire founder of Telegram, was arrested at Le Bourget airport near Paris after arriving on a private jet from Azerbaijan. The arrest of the 39-year-old Russian-born tech mogul has triggered a stern warning from Moscow, urging Paris to respect Durov’s rights. Elon Musk, the owner of X (previously Twitter), slammed the arrest, alleging it is an attack on European free expression. The arrest reportedly stemmed from an outstanding warrant in France, which prompted police to act when they discovered Durov on the passenger list of the incoming jet.
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Investigation into Telegram’s Moderation Practices
The arrest is reportedly linked to an ongoing investigation into Telegram’s moderation practices. French authorities are investigating whether Telegram’s alleged lack of moderators and cooperation with law enforcement has facilitated various criminal activities. However, Telegram has refuted the claims and affirmed that it operates within legal bounds provided by the EU, such as the Digital Services Act, to safeguard user freedoms and anonymity.
Following the arrest, Telegram stated support and defense of Durov: “Telegram’s CEO Pavel Durov is a frequent traveler in Europe, and it does not make any sense to hold the platform and its owner accountable for abuses of it.”
The arrest has sparked increasing attention to Telegram across Europe: several countries, including France, have raised concerns over security and data leakage regarding the app. Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, claiming dual citizenship for France and the United Arab Emirates, has accused the U. S. law enforcement of trying to attempt unauthorized access to Telegram, and the FBI has refuted no such allegations.
As more reactions from the international community emerge, the arrest of Pavel Durov prompts critical concerns regarding security, privacy, and freedom of speech in the digital world.
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