Pavel Durov Criticizes French Legal Action, Reaffirms Telegram’s Commitment to Privacy

• Pavel Durov, CEO of Telegram, faces legal charges in France for platform misuse related to illicit transactions and drug trafficking.
• Durov criticized French authorities, arguing they should have contacted Telegram directly instead of charging him personally.
• Telegram, with 950M users, is improving content moderation after its rapid growth led to increased criminal exploitation of the platform.

Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram, addressed the legal allegations he is facing in France, standing up for the platform’s dedication to privacy and freedom of speech. Durov responded firmly to the charges of complicity in criminal activities, such as illicit transactions and drug trafficking on the platform.

Durov, arrested at Paris-Le Bourget Airport recently, paid €5 million in bail after being indicted by a French judge. French officials allege that criminal activities have been conducted using Telegram, and the CEO’s purported lack of cooperation with law enforcement requests for information resulted in the charges.

French authorities have faced criticism

Durov expressed his criticism of the French legal system in a X post , noting that charging a CEO for crimes on a platform committed by others using obsolete laws is not the correct approach. 

He stated that instead of personally detaining him, authorities should have communicated directly with Telegram. He made it clear that his company has always been open to communication and can be reached through its representative in the European Union.

Dedication to Privacy and Freedom of Speech

Durov restated that Telegram remains dedicated to safeguarding user privacy and supporting freedom of speech, even when facing close examination. He admitted that while the platform has seen a rise in users, resulting in some misuse, Telegram is actively trying to enhance content moderation and decrease criminal activity. Nevertheless, he asserted that the fundamental purpose of the platform remains unchanged.

Expansion of worldwide user base and obstacles to overcome

Telegram has experienced substantial growth, now boasting 950 million users. Yet, this quick growth has brought about difficulties, such as a rise in platform misuse by criminal organizations. Durov acknowledged that these challenges have allowed harmful individuals to take advantage of the platform, but confirmed his commitment to resolving them.