Recently, news broke that Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has been released from prison but placed under judicial supervision with strict conditions. One of these conditions includes the requirement to post a hefty €5 million bond. Additionally, Durov is not allowed to leave the French territory and is mandated to report to the police station twice a week as part of his bond conditions.
The Paris Judicial Court has officially charged Durov with six offenses, including “complicity in the management of an online platform allowing illegal transactions in an organized gang,” money laundering, and refusal to provide information to authorities. According to France’s anti-organized crime authority, JUNALCO, Durov’s lack of response to judicial requests prompted the investigation into his potential criminal liability in connection with drug trafficking, child sexual content, and fraud.
The French authorities, including the French Center for the Fight Against Digital Crime (C3N) and the National Anti-Fraud Customs Office (ONAF), will be leading subsequent investigations regarding Telegram. Prosecutors have raised concerns about Telegram’s failure to register its encrypted messaging services with the French government, highlighting the platform’s lack of compliance with regulations.
Durov, known for his strong stance on free speech and resistance to content moderation on Telegram, has faced criticism from child safety groups. These groups argue that the platform has become a breeding ground for illegal content, particularly child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and accuse Telegram of being uncooperative in combating these issues. While Telegram claims to use a combination of moderators, AI, and user reports to address CSAM in public channels, there is a lack of effective methods for reporting illegal activity in private chats.
Reactions and Speculations
Following Durov’s arrest, there have been mixed reactions from free speech advocates and tech industry figures. Some view the arrest as a violation of human rights and question whether leaders of other social media platforms would face similar consequences for misuse by their users. Speculations have also arisen, suggesting that French authorities may be attempting to control or gain access to communications on Telegram. However, French President Emmanuel Macron has clarified that Durov’s arrest is part of a judicial process with no political motivations behind it.