Telegram claims Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and calls CEO’s arrest absurd

In a post on his official X account, the Telegram issued an institutional statement on the arrest of its CEO and founder, Pavel Durov. Arrested in France last Saturday (24), when disembarking from his private jet that landed at the airport Paris-Le Bourget.

The platform emphasizes that it complies with European Union laws, including the Digital Services Act, and that content moderation is within industry standards and is constantly improving.

⚖️ Telegram abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act — its moderation is within industry standards and constantly improving.

✈️ Telegram’s CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe.

‍ It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner…

— Telegram Messenger (@telegram) August 25, 2024

The statement also highlights that Durov has nothing to hide and that he travels frequently to Europe. Telegram also called it absurd to claim that a platform or its owner is responsible for abuses committed on that platform.

This point of abuse addresses what may have led to Durov’s arrest. Although France has not issued a statement clearly stating the reason, sources linked to Reuters report that the CEO of Telegram was arrested due to an investigation by the French police which, in its preliminary phase, points to problems in Telegram’s content moderation and the impact of this on the dissemination of various illicit practices through the application.

The analysis would be that the app does not need to frontally moderate and intervene in the circulation of content linked to organized crime, drug smuggling, promotion of terrorism and even child abuse.

Macron says decision is not political, cites investigation

I read false information here regarding France following the arrest of Pavel Durov.

France is more than anything attached to freedom of expression and communication, to innovation and to the spirit of enterprise. It will remain so.

In a state of law,…

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 26, 2024

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke about the case on his X account. The head of the French executive branch said that Durov’s detention is part of a judicial investigation, and that it is not a political decision.

“I am reading false information about France here, after the arrest of Pavel Durov. France is more than anything linked to freedom of expression and communication, to innovation and entrepreneurship. It will continue to be so.

In a state governed by the rule of law, on social media as in real life, freedoms are exercised within a framework established by law to protect citizens and respect their fundamental rights.

It is up to the justice system, with complete independence, to enforce the law. The arrest of the president of Telegram on French territory took place within the framework of an ongoing judicial investigation. This is in no way a political decision. It is up to the judges to decide.” Macron said.