Pavel Durov Breaks Silence on Accusations in Official Telegram Statement

Pavel Durov, the Russian-born French citizen and founder of Telegram, has responded to the accusations and charges leveled against him by French authorities for the first time since his arrest last month. In a statement released on his Telegram channel, Durov addressed the challenges of content moderation on the platform and criticized the approach of holding tech founders personally responsible for users’ actions.

Durov’s arrest on August 24 sparked controversy, with many questioning the French authorities’ handling of the situation. The Telegram CEO was placed under judicial supervision and faces charges related to poor content moderation on the platform, including complicity in storing and distributing child sexual abuse material, facilitating drug trafficking and organized fraud, and refusing to comply with authorities.

In his statement, Durov emphasized that Telegram has a dedicated European Union compliance officer who oversees the platform’s adherence to EU laws. He expressed surprise at the French authorities’ accusations, given the established communication channels and his previous cooperation.

Durov also addressed the challenges of balancing privacy and security, highlighting the need for reconciliation between privacy laws, law enforcement requirements, and technological limitations. He thanked the crypto community for their continued support, saying, “Thanks everyone for your support and love!”

The Telegram CEO’s statement sheds light on the complexities of content moderation and the need for clear guidelines and cooperation between tech companies and law enforcement agencies. As the case against Durov continues, it remains to be seen how the French authorities will respond to his statement and the implications for the future of Telegram and its users.

With Telegram’s user base reaching a milestone of 950 million globally, the platform’s commitment to privacy and security remains a top priority. Durov’s statement reiterates the importance of finding a balance between these competing interests and the need for innovators to build new tools without fear of personal liability.

The case against Durov has sparked a wider debate about the responsibilities of tech founders and the need for clear regulations governing content moderation. As the situation unfolds, it is clear that the outcome will have far-reaching implications for the tech industry and beyond.