Telegram Speaks Out Following Durov's Arrest
In a recent statement, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov emphasized that he has “nothing to hide” and clarified that he is not accountable for any misuse of the platform. For further details, read the full article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
**Telegram Addresses Arrest of Founder Pavel Durov**
Following the arrest of Pavel Durov, its founder, by French authorities on Saturday, Telegram has issued a statement asserting that Durov “has nothing to hide.”
Durov was detained at the Paris-Le Bourget Airport shortly after arriving from Azerbaijan on a private jet. Reports from French media indicate that prosecutors in Paris intend to file charges against the 39-year-old for complicity in drug trafficking, offenses related to pedophilia, and fraud. They argue that Telegram's inadequate content moderation practices, strong encryption, and perceived lack of cooperation with law enforcement contribute to enabling criminal activity on the platform.
In response to these allegations, Telegram reiterated in its Sunday statement that it complies with EU regulations and maintains content-moderation policies that are “within industry standards.” The company described the claims against Durov as “absurd,” emphasizing that “a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform.”
Additionally, Telegram highlighted its vast user base by stating, “Almost a billion users globally use Telegram as means of communication and as a source of vital information,” and expressed its desire for a prompt resolution to the situation.
While Telegram is based in Dubai, it appointed a Belgian legal representative earlier this year to ensure compliance with EU law. The platform has also adhered to the bloc's sanctions against Russia by blocking access to Russian news outlets like RT.
Notably, Durov has reportedly been resistant to providing user data to law enforcement or installing backdoors for government surveillance of conversations on the app.
In a conversation with RT on Sunday, a former spokesperson for Durov suggested that the arrest could have been executed at the behest of U.S. authorities, following Durov’s public allegations that American intelligence agencies had exerted pressure for access to Telegram user information.
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
Following the arrest of Pavel Durov, its founder, by French authorities on Saturday, Telegram has issued a statement asserting that Durov “has nothing to hide.”
Durov was detained at the Paris-Le Bourget Airport shortly after arriving from Azerbaijan on a private jet. Reports from French media indicate that prosecutors in Paris intend to file charges against the 39-year-old for complicity in drug trafficking, offenses related to pedophilia, and fraud. They argue that Telegram's inadequate content moderation practices, strong encryption, and perceived lack of cooperation with law enforcement contribute to enabling criminal activity on the platform.
In response to these allegations, Telegram reiterated in its Sunday statement that it complies with EU regulations and maintains content-moderation policies that are “within industry standards.” The company described the claims against Durov as “absurd,” emphasizing that “a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform.”
Additionally, Telegram highlighted its vast user base by stating, “Almost a billion users globally use Telegram as means of communication and as a source of vital information,” and expressed its desire for a prompt resolution to the situation.
While Telegram is based in Dubai, it appointed a Belgian legal representative earlier this year to ensure compliance with EU law. The platform has also adhered to the bloc's sanctions against Russia by blocking access to Russian news outlets like RT.
Notably, Durov has reportedly been resistant to providing user data to law enforcement or installing backdoors for government surveillance of conversations on the app.
In a conversation with RT on Sunday, a former spokesperson for Durov suggested that the arrest could have been executed at the behest of U.S. authorities, following Durov’s public allegations that American intelligence agencies had exerted pressure for access to Telegram user information.
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
