Telegram CEO's Arrest: France's Freedom Image Questioned
Durov Claims French Probe Struggles, Cites Damage to Freedom Image
Telegram founder Pavel Durov has updated on his legal situation in France, asserting that the criminal investigation against him is faltering due to a lack of evidence. Durov maintains that his arrest in August 2024 was "unprecedented" and that holding a tech executive responsible for the actions of independent users is "legally and logically absurd."
In a Telegram post, Durov stated:
“A year later, the ‘criminal investigation’ against me is still struggling to find anything that I or Telegram did wrong. Our moderation practices align with industry standards, and Telegram has always responded to every legally binding request from France.”
Durov added that he is required to return to France every 14 days and warns that the French government has done irreparable damage to France’s image as a free country.
Crypto Community Condemns Durov's Arrest
The arrest of Durov has sparked widespread condemnation from the crypto community, human rights groups, and free speech activists. Many believe the French government is attempting to pressure Durov into censoring the Telegram platform.
Background of the Investigation
Durov was charged in connection with an investigation into Telegram’s content moderation policies. French law enforcement officials have accused the platform of hosting harmful content.
French President Emmanuel Macron has denied that the arrest was politically motivated. However, his denial has been met with skepticism and accusations of censorship from the crypto community.
“In a state governed by the rule of law, freedoms are upheld within a legal framework, both on social media and in real life, to protect citizens and respect their fundamental rights,” Macron stated in a translated X post on August 26.
Mert Mumtaz, CEO of node provider Helius, responded to Macron's statement, questioning the extent of control expected by the government.
Durov has repeatedly stated that Telegram complies with all legal law enforcement requests and maintains that the company will exit a jurisdiction before succumbing to censorship pressures. He affirmed that Telegram will not compromise user privacy by handing over encryption keys or building backdoors into the messaging application.
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