France Cracks Down on Telegram's Durov
France has launched an investigation against Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, restricting his movements after accused of flouting law enforcement and enabling criminal activities. The probe, sparked by rumors of non-cooperation, follows Durov's arrest and jail interview.
Investigators suspect Durov of aiding drug trafficking, money laundering, fraud, and child abuse-related offenses by not actively addressing these crimes on Telegram and disregarding legal wiretapping orders. Authorities wanted Durov, who was apprehended at a Paris airport, for over a month.
The probe could result in a criminal trial if substantial evidence emerges against Durov. However, investigators can choose to close the case too. If found guilty, Durov faces a decade of imprisonment and a fine of 500,000 euros for facilitating illegal transactions through Telegram.
Telegram denies the allegations, claiming adherence to regulations and nothing to hide. Durov defends the platform, saying it's absurd to blame a service for misuse by third parties. Despite criticism for lax hate speech and illegal activity enforcement, Telegram has over a billion users and is installed on hundreds of millions of mobile devices.
Telegram has come under fire for not effectively tackling hate speech and illegitimate activities. The platform is known for enabling criminals, including terrorists and drug dealers, to operate more openly compared to other social networks. Durov's relocation abroad stems from his resistance to collaborate with Russian authorities.
The French Commission oversees the investigation regarding Durov's alleged non-cooperation and facilitation of criminal activities. Facing severe penalties, including lengthy imprisonment, Durov adheres to stringent conditions, including a 5 million euro bail, regular police check-ins, and French residency.
Insights
- Durov is accused of failing to curb extremist content, online platform misuse for illicit transactions, and refusing to share information with investigators.
- He is also under investigation for promoting terrorism.
