Telegram's Leader Continues Detention in France Following Arrest
The 39-year-old was apprehended at Le Bourget Airport in Paris on Saturday night. An arrest warrant was issued due to initial investigations involving allegations like fraud, narcotics distribution, cyberbullying, organized crime, and funding of terrorism. Durow is accused of failing to prevent his communication platform from being exploited for illicit activities.
Telegram declared on Sunday night that Durow has "nothing to conceal". The 39-year-old, who is a citizen of both Russia and France, frequently visits Europe, as mentioned in a statement from the online service. Telegram adheres to European regulations and content moderation on the site is deemed "standard industry practice". It's "preposterous", the company claimed, to hold a platform or its CEO accountable for the misuse of the platform.
The encrypted messaging service Telegram, established in 2013, has gained popularity as an alternative to US platforms. Telegram refuses to disclose user data, even in instances of criminal activity.
Telegram permits groups with up to 200,000 members, which has given rise to accusations that it aids in the dissemination of false information, as well as pedophilic or extremist content and conspiracy theories.
The rival messaging service WhatsApp introduced message forwarding limitations in 2019. Previously, the app had been criticized for allowing the spread of misinformation that resulted in lynchings in India.
The 39-year-old, Durow, was officially arrested at Le Bourget Airport due to the investigations. Telegram strongly denies holding any responsibility for Durow's alleged involvement in illicit activities, as they claim it's preposterous to hold a platform accountable for misuse.
