Sokipiriye Dokubo
After being arrested in France on charges related to Telegram’s alleged involvement in illicit activities, Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram, has responded to the French government’s accusations regarding the platform’s security measures and handling of criminal content.
Durov expressed his surprise at the allegations and emphasized that Telegram is easily reachable by authorities for cooperation. He highlighted the platform’s efforts to combat harmful content but acknowledged the challenges posed by its rapid growth to 950 million users. Durov pledged to enhance moderation to tackle misuse of the platform effectively.
He also mentioned previous conflicts with regulatory bodies in countries like Russia and Iran, where Telegram stood firm on its principles and withdrew from markets that did not align with its values. Durov criticized the authority’s decision to hold him personally accountable for criminal acts on the platform, warning against stifling innovation through such legal actions.
Even though Durov has been released under judicial supervision, he is determined to improve Telegram’s moderation policies while upholding privacy and free speech values. The case sheds light on the ongoing debate surrounding the responsibilities of tech companies in regulating content and addressing illegal behavior.