Pavel Durov, founder and CEO of Telegram, is facing legal charges in France related to various criminal activities conducted on his messaging platform. The French court alleges that Durov has failed to prevent the spread of child sexual abuse material, drug trafficking, and other illegal activities on Telegram.
In an official statement, the Paris prosecutors accused Durov of refusing to provide documents requested by authorities. He faces charges for the "dissemination of images of minors in child pornography," drug trafficking, fraud, and money laundering.
The charges suggest that Telegram, under Durov's leadership, has been uncooperative with law enforcement, including his alleged refusal to assist in setting up wiretaps on criminal suspects. Additionally, the platform is accused of facilitating illegal transactions carried out by gangs and organized crime networks.
Durov, who was arrested on Saturday, has been released on bail with specific conditions: he must remain in France and report to a police station twice a week. The court also ordered him to pay $5.6 million in bail.
Durov has nothing to hide: Telegram
In response to these allegations, Telegram released a statement on Sunday, declaring that Durov has "nothing to hide" and insisting that the app complies with European laws. "It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform," the statement read. "We're awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation."
This case has reignited debates over the limits of free speech and the enforcement of law on digital platforms. It also highlights the complex relationship between governments and messaging services like Telegram, which boasts nearly 1 billion users. The situation serves as a stark warning to tech companies that resist cooperating with authorities over alleged illegal activities on their platforms.
Meanwhile, Durov is also under investigation for "serious acts of violence" towards one of his children while in Paris with an ex-partner, who filed another complaint against him in Switzerland last year.
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