The Russian government dismisses suggestions to eliminate confidential communications on Telegram following Durov's detention as completely illogical.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Russian government representative Dmitry Peskov labeled requests for users to erase personal data on the app as utterly ludicrous. Despite acknowledging the severe nature of the accusations against Pavel Durov, who holds Russian, French, and UAE nationalities, Peskov emphasized that French authorities would require solid evidence to validate these claims. If not, he warned, an immediate attempt to restrict communication freedom would ensue, which could also be perceived as an intimidation tactic towards Durov, a notable corporation head.
The Russian government's aim to address concerns related to Telegram's safety underscores its significance in Russia's military operations. French President Emmanuel Macron asserted on Monday that the decision to prosecute Durov had no political motivations whatsoever. This rare statement from French leaders, who usually avoid discussing legal matters, indicated their lack of influence on judicial issues.
The Paris prosecutor's office leveled numerous charges against Durov on Monday, including allegations that his platform had been a tool in money laundering, drug trafficking, and the dissemination of child pornography. Additionally, Durov was accused of refusing compliance with French authorities' demand for assistance in intercepting suspected illicit communications.
At a news conference in Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov accused Durov of manipulation and being threatened with severe punishment, implying that Durov might have been coerced into potentially disclosing encryption codes. Durov, with nearly 950 million users, is one of the world's leading messaging apps, popular in nations where free speech is limited and in war-torn regions, including Ukraine, where it has become an essential tool for Ukrainian officials to share military updates and air raid warnings.
The popularity of Telegram among pro-Russian military bloggers and the Kremlin's support for Durov was unexpected considering Durov's refusal to share Moscow's data demands from his previous venture, a Facebook-like social media platform called Vkontakte (VK). Despite this, Durov moved to Dubai and now heads Telegram.
Despite the Russian government's push for user data erasure on Telegram, prominent figures like French President Macron have maintained that the case against Pavel Durov lacks political motives. This stance could potentially be seen as a protection of Durov, a notable corporation head.
The tech industry's substantial impact on business is evident through Telegram's role in Russian military communications and pro-Russian bloggers' activities. Pavel Durov's resistance to data sharing demands in the past, and his refusal to comply with French authorities' call for assistance, illustrates the complex dynamic between governments and tech companies in matters of privacy and freedom of speech.
