- Telegram's creators face potential imprisonment terms exceeding a decade
French legal authorities have initiated an investigation against Telegram's creator, Pavel Durov, and put the Russian-French national under judicial scrutiny. As per statements from the Paris prosecutor's office, this is due to suspicions of non-compliance with law enforcement in criminal probes and aiding in criminal activities.
Despite his unexpected detention on Saturday and questioning by a magistrate, Durov was released on Wednesday evening, but under strict stipulations. The Telegram chief is required to post a bail of €5 million, report to the police twice a week, and is prohibited from leaving France, according to the prosecutor's office. The length of the probe is not specified by the authorities.
Telegram Founder Faces Imprisonment
Suspicions in France suggest that Durov has aided in drug trafficking, money laundering, fraud, and child abuse-related offenses by failing to act on Telegram and insufficient collaboration with authorities. The refusal to cooperate with authorized wiretapping measures is also being criticized. Consequently, Durov was wanted by the authorities. Durov was apprehended at an airport near Paris on Saturday night. According to the prosecutor's office, investigations against Durov have been ongoing since February.
The investigation against Durov could lead to a criminal trial if the investigators find substantial evidence against him. Alternatively, they can also drop the case. Alone for the charge of aiding illegal transactions through the chat service, Durov faces up to ten years in prison and a fine of €500,000, as announced by the prosecutor's office.
Telegram Denies Allegations
Telegram denies the accusations. The company claims to be adhering to all applicable rules. Durov "has nothing to hide". It is also "preposterous" to hold a platform or its owner accountable for the misuse of the service by external parties, according to Durov. The messaging app, launched in 2013, now has nearly a billion users and is installed on over a hundred million mobile devices.
Telegram has been under critique for some time for not taking sufficient action against hate speech and other illegal activities. The messaging app faces criticism, among other things, as a less transparent platform where criminals, including terrorists, drug dealers, and warmongers, can collaborate more easily than on other social networks. Durov left Russia several years ago due to his refusal to cooperate with the authorities in his home country. The company itself stresses that it is "within the industry standards".
Given the ongoing investigation against Telegram's creator, Pavel Durov, by French legal authorities due to suspicions of non-compliance with law enforcement and aiding in criminal activities, it's worth noting that the accusations against him stem from alleged involvement in drug trafficking, money laundering, fraud, and child abuse-related offenses. If found guilty, Durov could face up to ten years in prison and a fine of €500,000, as announced by the Paris prosecutor's office, in relation to aiding illegal transactions through the chat service.
Despite the controversy and Durov's denial of the accusations, the investigation and potential criminal trial in Paris highlight the ongoing challenges and scrutiny facing the messaging app Telegram, particularly regarding its stance on illegal activities and transparency.
