The post Telegram Founder Arrested, Is Free Speech Under Attack? appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com.

With Pavel Durov still detained in France, Telegram releases a statement, and prominent tech figures come out in support. Pavel Durov, the prominent Russian-born tech mogul and founder of the encrypted messaging app Telegram, has been detained by French authorities following his arrival at Le Bourget airport just north of Paris.  Durov, known for his staunch advocacy for privacy and digital rights, was apprehended after his private jet, arriving from Baku, touched down. The arrest, confirmed by multiple French media outlets including Le Monde, has sparked a flurry of international reactions and raised significant concerns about the intersection of technology, privacy, and law enforcement. The arrest warrant, reportedly issued by France’s L’Office Mineurs (OFMIN), which investigates crimes against minors, signals a serious inquiry into Telegram’s operations and their alleged links to unlawful activities such as fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, and organized crime. Sources close to the investigation detailed that the preliminary probe focuses heavily on what is perceived as Telegram’s lack of effective content moderation. According to an AFP report, the allegations against Durov and his platform are broad, suggesting that the app has been used as a conduit for various illicit activities. This has led to the potential for severe legal repercussions, with speculations about Durov facing up to 20 years in prison if convicted. A Bloomberg report highlighted comments from Maria Zakharova, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, who corroborated the news of Durov’s arrest in a post on Telegram, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.  Telegram Issues Statement In contrast, the messaging platform issued a statement defending its compliance with EU laws, including the Digital Services Act. “Telegram abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act — its moderation is within industry standards and constantly improving. Telegram’s CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently…

---

Filed under: News - @ August 25, 2024 10:08 pm