Pavel Durov, the brainchild of Telegram, finds himself in hot water after being summoned for questioning by a judge in France following his detainment. As reported by DPA, sourced from the Paris public prosecutor's office, Durov was hauled before the court as part of an ongoing investigation.
Should the investigation persist, it might culminate in a full-blown criminal trial if investigators manage to unearth sufficient evidence incriminating Durov. On the contrary, they could opt to halt the proceedings if the evidence proves insufficient.
Rumors of Telegram aiding in severe offenses
Investigators have reportedly been probing Durov's activities for an extended period. The allegation is that he willfully aided in drug trafficking, money laundering, fraud, and various child abuse-related crimes by failing to intervene or cooperate with law enforcement sufficiently. Additionally, his refusal to adhere to lawful surveillance measures is under scrutiny.
Durov was apprehended by the authorities at an airport close to Paris on Saturday night. In response to the accusations, Telegram denies the claims, asserting its compliance with all relevant regulations. Durov himself maintains, "I have nothing to hide." The company argues that it is unfair to hold a platform or its founder responsible for misconduct by unrelated parties.
Telegram has faced criticism for its handling of hate speech and illegitimate activities for quite some time. The company maintains its stance of adhering to industry norms.
The Commission, also known as the Paris public prosecutor's office, has been scrutinizing Durov for his alleged involvement in facilitating numerous criminal activities. If sufficient evidence arises from the Commission's investigation, a criminal trial against Durov could ensue.
Bonus Facts:
- Durov was released on bail for 5 million euros ($5.2 million) a few days after his arrest and must report to the police regularly[1][2][4].
- French authorities have filed preliminary charges against Durov for allegedly enabling criminal activities on Telegram, including drug trafficking and the distribution of child sex abuse material (CSAM)[2][3].
- The French authorities claim that Telegram's noncompliance with police requests has hindered approximately 2,500 cases between 2013 and 2024 across various departments[1][4].
- Discussions about a potential settlement agreement are premature, as the trial for Durov will not commence for at least a year[1][4].
- Despite its cooperation with law enforcement by providing data on approximately 10,000 users to officials worldwide in December 2024, Telegram continues to face scrutiny for its handling of illegal activities[1][4].
