Telegram, the widely-used messaging application, has issued a strong defense of its founder Pavel Durov following his arrest at a Paris airport on Saturday. In a statement released on Sunday, the company condemned the notion that a platform’s owner should be held responsible for the misuse of the platform, asserting that Durov “has nothing to hide.”
“Telegram abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act — its moderation is within industry standards and constantly improving,” Telegram said in a statement on the detention of Durov in France.
“Telegram’s CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe,” it said. “It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform.” “We’re awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation. Telegram is with you all.”
Pavel Durov, the wealthy creator and chief executive officer of the Telegram messaging application, was taken into custody on Saturday night at Le Bourget Airport near Paris. According to reports from French media outlets, Durov was apprehended when he arrived in France on a private aircraft.
French judicial authorities on Sunday extended the detention of Durov following his arrest at a Parisian airport in connection with alleged offenses related to the widely used but contentious messaging app. The initial period of detention for questioning can last up to a maximum of 96 hours.
Once this detention phase concludes, the judge has the authority to either release him or file charges and remand him in further custody.
Authorities have issued an arrest warrant against Durov, with the investigation focusing on the alleged lack of content moderation on Telegram, which police claim has enabled criminal activity to flourish on the platform.
“Telegram abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act — its moderation is within industry standards and constantly improving,” Telegram said in a statement on the detention of Durov in France.
“Telegram’s CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe,” it said. “It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform.” “We’re awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation. Telegram is with you all.”
Pavel Durov, the wealthy creator and chief executive officer of the Telegram messaging application, was taken into custody on Saturday night at Le Bourget Airport near Paris. According to reports from French media outlets, Durov was apprehended when he arrived in France on a private aircraft.
French judicial authorities on Sunday extended the detention of Durov following his arrest at a Parisian airport in connection with alleged offenses related to the widely used but contentious messaging app. The initial period of detention for questioning can last up to a maximum of 96 hours.
Once this detention phase concludes, the judge has the authority to either release him or file charges and remand him in further custody.
Authorities have issued an arrest warrant against Durov, with the investigation focusing on the alleged lack of content moderation on Telegram, which police claim has enabled criminal activity to flourish on the platform.
Source : Times of India
