Pavel Durov, the brains behind Telegram, is set to appear before a French investigating judge after his recent capture in France. According to reports from the German Press Agency, derived from the Paris prosecutor's office, Durov has been summoned for questioning.
Post this interrogation, there's a likelihood of launching a full-fledged investigation against Durov. Depending on the evidence uncovered, this investigation could potentially lead to a court trial or its dismissal if the proof falls short.
Investigations against Durov have been underway for some time, as confirmed by the prosecutor's office. The allegations against him include aiding in drug trafficking, money laundering, fraud, and offenses linked to child abuse by neglecting his duties in monitoring and providing assistance to authorities. Failure to comply with legal surveillance measures is also a concern.
Durov was detained at an airport near Paris on Saturday evening.
Telegram issued a statement refuting the accusations. According to the company, it adheres to all relevant regulations, and Durov "has no secrets to hide." The company also asserts that it's "absurd" to accuse a platform or its owner of影响 (influencing) the misuse of the service by external entities.
Telegram has been facing criticism for its lackluster approach towards combating hate speech and unlawful activities. The company maintains that it's in compliance with "industry standards."
Following the investigation against Durov, The Commission may scrutinize Telegram's compliance with legal surveillance measures, given the allegations.
If Durov is found guilty in court, The Commission might impose stringent regulations on Telegram to prevent future non-compliance issues.
Informational Sidebar
Recent developments concerning the French judicial authority's request to interrogate Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram, include:
- Arrest and Charges:
- August 2024: Durov was arrested in France and is currently undergoing formal investigation for his alleged involvement in the dissemination of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) and delayed response to inquiries about combating extremist and terrorist content on Telegram.
- Legal Proceedings:
- Durov has been released on a €5 million bail with the condition that he must not leave France until the case is heard. However, the investigation is ongoing, and Durov's alleged role in facilitating various illicit activities remains under scrutiny.
- Platform’s Response:
- Telegram has responded to 14 requests from Australian law enforcement, which affected 23 users since Durov's arrest. Additionally, the platform has released transparency reports to improve cooperation with regulators worldwide.
- Global Concerns:
- A comprehensive investigation by The New York Times revealed that Telegram has become a hub for various illegal activities, including CSAM, terrorism, and illegal drug trade. The platform's minimal content moderation and lack of cooperation with law enforcement have exacerbated these issues.
- Australian Context:
- In Australia, Telegram was fined nearly $1 million for delaying its response to eSafety's inquiries about its efforts to prevent the spread of harmful material, which led to a half-year delay in fulfilling the eSafety Commission's duties under the Online Safety Act. Telegram plans to appeal this decision, claiming it had fully responded to all eSafety's questions last year with no outstanding issues.
