Pavel Durov, founding father of the messaging software Telegram, offered an replace relating to his ongoing case in France, and stated the felony investigation in opposition to him is “struggling” to seek out any proof of wrongdoing.
Durov stated his arrest by French authorities in August 2024 was “unprecedented” and added that holding a tech govt accountable for the actions of unbiased customers was “legally and logically absurd,” in a Telegram post on Sunday. Durov added:
“A 12 months later, the ‘felony investigation’ in opposition to me continues to be struggling to seek out something that I or Telegram did fallacious. Our moderation practices align with business requirements, and Telegram has all the time responded to each legally binding request from France.”
“One 12 months after this unusual arrest, I nonetheless must return to France each 14 days, with no enchantment date in sight,” he continued, whereas additionally warning that the French authorities has completed irreparable damage to France’s image as a free nation.
The arrest of Durov sparked widespread condemnation from the crypto group, human rights teams, and free speech activists, who accused the French authorities of arresting the Telegram founder to strain him into censoring the platform.
Associated: One year since Durov’s arrest: What’s happened and what’s ahead?
Durov’s arrest creates huge backlash in opposition to French authorities
Durov was charged and initially barred from leaving France in reference to a probe into the Telegram platform’s content material moderation insurance policies, with French legislation enforcement officers accusing the platform of internet hosting dangerous content material.
French President Emmanuel Macron denied the arrest was politically motivated, triggering a torrent of censorship accusations and criticism from the crypto group.
“In a state ruled by the rule of legislation, freedoms are upheld inside a authorized framework, each on social media and in actual life, to guard residents and respect their basic rights,” Macron wrote in a translated Aug. 26 X post.
Mert Mumtaz, CEO of node supplier Helius, responded to Macron by asking: “Why aren’t you personally in jail for not controlling 100% of all crime in France?”
Durov has repeatedly stated that Telegram complies with all authorized legislation enforcement requests and maintains that the company will exit a jurisdiction earlier than succumbing to censorship pressures.
The Telegram platform is not going to compromise consumer privateness by handing over encryption keys or constructing backdoors into the messaging software, Durov stated.
Journal: Did Telegram’s Pavel Durov commit a crime? Crypto lawyers weigh in
