Durov, a Russian-born billionaire, was detained on Saturday on a warrant associated to Telegram’s lack of content material moderation. He is beneath investigation for alleged complicity in aiding crimes, together with fraud, drug trafficking, and the dissemination of kid pornography by means of the platform. Telegram has additionally confronted scrutiny for its use by terrorist teams and far-right extremists.
Court Proceedings and Potential Charges
Durov, 39, was held for as much as 96 hours, the utmost interval allowed beneath French regulation earlier than formal costs have to be filed. Following his launch, he was transported from the anti-fraud workplace close to Paris to a courtroom within the French capital for preliminary questioning, which may result in an indictment.
The arrest has intensified debates over freedom of speech, notably in Russia and Ukraine, the place Telegram is extensively used as a communication instrument amongst navy personnel and residents amid the continued battle between the 2 nations. The Kremlin has tried to reassure Russian customers in regards to the app’s future, with a authorities spokesperson urging folks to not delete delicate messages from the platform.
International Reactions and Legal Context
French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the state of affairs, stating that the choice to pursue costs in opposition to Durov was “under no circumstances political.” The arrest of Durov, usually dubbed the “Mark Zuckerberg of Russia,” has sparked considerations amongst advocates of free speech and privateness.
Durov, who launched Telegram in 2013 together with his brother Nikolai, has constructed the app into one of many world’s most generally used messaging platforms, boasting over 950 million customers as of final month. Conversations on Telegram are encrypted, limiting oversight by regulation enforcement companies and the platform itself.
Following the announcement of his launch, the blockchain related to Telegram, TON, noticed a 7% enhance.
Durov’s authorized troubles and their potential implications proceed to be intently watched because the state of affairs unfolds within the coming days.
