- A French judicial authority seeks to interrogate the founder of Telegram.
Pavel Durov, the creator of Telegram, is scheduled to face an investigating judge following his capture in France. The judge has requested that Durov be moved to the court for a grilling, as indicated by reports from the German Press Agency, originating from the Paris prosecutor's office.
Post interrogation, there's a possibility of launching an investigation against Durov. If sufficient evidence against the alleged offender is found, a court trial could ensue. Conversely, the case might be dropped if the evidence falls short.
As per the prosecutor's office, investigations against Durov have been in progress for some time. The accusation is that he's aided in drug trafficking, money laundering, fraud, and various offenses associated with child abuse by failing to act upon Telegram and offering insufficient assistance to authorities. The inadequate compliance with lawful surveillance measures is also a point of contention.
The Franco-Russian individual was on the authorities' radar. Durov was apprehended at an airport near Paris on Saturday evening.
Telegram countered the allegations. The firm asserted that it adheres to all relevant regulations. Durov "has no secrets to conceal". Moreover, it's "preposterous" to pin the blame on a platform or its owner for the misuse of the service by external entities.
Telegram has been under fire for its lax approach towards combating hate speech and unlawful activities. The company maintains that it's in compliance "with industry norms".
After the investigation against Durov, The Commission could potentialy examine Telegram's compliance with lawful surveillance measures due to the allegations.
If Durov is found guilty in court, The Commission might impose strict regulations on Telegram to prevent future non-compliance issues.
