Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Criticize French Authorities Over Illegal Detainment

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has spoken out for the first time since his arrest on August 25, criticizing French authorities for filing what he called “misguided” criminal charges against him. In a Telegram post, Durov expressed disbelief that he could be personally held responsible for illegal activities committed by users of the platform, calling this approach outdated and unproductive.

“Applying laws from the pre-smartphone era to hold a CEO accountable for third-party actions on a platform is a flawed strategy,” Durov said. He argued that such legal actions could stifle innovation by making tech creators fear liability for how their products are misused. Durov pointed out that Telegram has a designated representative in the EU to handle legal matters and has cooperated with French authorities before, including setting up a hotline for terrorism threats.

As Telegram has grown to nearly 950 million users, Durov acknowledged that the platform has faced challenges, making it more susceptible to misuse by some individuals. He promised to strengthen moderation and improve safety, calling it his “personal mission” to address these issues.

Durov reaffirmed Telegram’s commitment to user privacy, especially in repressive countries, and stressed that the company is prepared to leave markets where its principles are compromised. He referenced past incidents in Russia and Iran, where Telegram was banned for refusing to comply with government demands.

In closing, Durov thanked users for their support and assured them that Telegram is working on improvements to balance privacy, security, and misuse prevention.