Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has been charged with allegedly allowing criminal activities on the messaging app.
Durov was released on bail, subject to a five million euro bail bond and a twice-weekly police report. He was also banned from leaving France.
Telegram insisted that it complies with EU laws and that its moderation “meets industry standards and is constantly improving.”
The fact that an official investigation has been opened against a suspect in France does not necessarily mean that he is guilty, nor does it necessarily lead to a trial. However, it does show that the judicial authorities consider the case serious enough to proceed with the investigation.
Pavel Durov was released on bail
Reuters
People walk past paper airplanes placed outside the French embassy in Moscow during a rally in support of freedom of expression.
Reuters
Durov must also report to the police twice a week and is not allowed to leave France.
A Telegram spokesperson added: “It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner is responsible for the misuse of that platform.”
Durov’s arrest in France has sparked an outcry in Russia. Paper airplanes depicting the Telegram logo were placed outside the French embassy in Moscow in support of the billionaire.
Nigel Farage, chairman of Reform UK, previously warned that the arrest could have a chilling effect on free expression.
On X, owned by billionaire Musk, he wrote: “The arrest of Pavel Durov is concerning. Telegram is a safe app for free speech. There may be some bad actors there, but that’s the case on all platforms. What’s next… the arrest of Elon Musk?”
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Emmanuel Macron stressed that Durov’s arrest had no political background
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French President Emmanuel Macron insisted that Durov’s arrest had no political background and posted on X that his country was “deeply committed” to freedom of expression.
He added: “Freedoms are safeguarded within a legal framework, both on social media and in real life, to protect citizens and respect their fundamental rights.”
Durov founded the social media platform after coming under pressure from Russian authorities over another platform he launched.
He resisted calls to impose restrictions on Russian opposition activists and release personal information on the popular social networking site VKontakte (VK).
Instead, he sold his stake in VK and left the country to focus on Telegram, which continues to enjoy great influence, particularly in Russia, Ukraine and the republics of the former Soviet Union.
