Durov's Dubai Trip: Telegram Founder Granted Leave
Telegram Founder Granted Leave for Dubai
Pavel Durov, founder of the popular messaging app Telegram, has received authorization to leave France for Dubai for several weeks. This follows a modification of his judicial supervision terms, as reported by Le Parisien. He departed from Le Bourget Airport near Paris with the approval of French authorities.
Background and Charges
Durov, a Franco-Russian entrepreneur, was arrested at Le Bourget Airport in August and charged with complicity in criminal activities. These charges relate to allegations he failed to adequately address criminal uses of the Telegram platform.
During a December 6th interrogation, Durov stated that he didn't create Telegram for criminals, acknowledging their presence on the platform but describing it as a "minimal fraction" that has grown. He emphasized his cooperation with French authorities, highlighting that high-ranking officials were aware of his personal Telegram account and residence.
Cooperation and Data Disclosure
Durov highlighted Telegram's cooperation, reporting that during the first quarter of 2024, they responded to four legal requests from France, providing identifying information on more than 10,000 users. This number was noted by the investigating judge in relation to Telegram's claimed 950 million users.
From the outset, Durov asserted his willingness to cooperate with French authorities. He stated that he became aware of the severity of the issues during police custody and pledged to improve Telegram's moderation practices.
Looking Ahead
The situation is ongoing. This temporary leave for Dubai does not signal the end of the legal proceedings. The implications of this development for Telegram's future and its approach to user data and security remain to be seen.
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