Telegram Reacts to Pavel Durov’s Detention, Asserts He Has ‘Nothing to Hide’

Highlights:

• Telegram criticizes French actions after Pavel Durov’s detention at Paris airport.
• Russia accuses France of hostility and demands consular access for Durov.
• Rumble CEO Chris Pavlovski exits Europe, citing France’s arrest of Telegram’s CEO as a threat.

Telegram raised concerns about the arrest of its CEO, Pavel Durov, who was detained upon stepping off his private plane at Le Bourget airport in Paris over the weekend. The platform questioned the actions of French authorities.

Telegram stated on X that it follows EU laws, including the Digital Services Act, and its moderation aligns with industry standards and continuously improves. The platform also mentioned that Durov regularly travels across Europe and has “nothing to hide.” “It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform,” Telegram wrote.

The arrest is part of an investigation into whether Telegram’s content moderation has facilitated crimes such as terrorism and trafficking. While Durov has not been formally charged, the inquiry focuses on the platform’s moderation practices. On Sunday, French judicial authorities extended Durov’s detention, reflecting a serious stance on the allegations against him. This extension, which could last up to 96 hours, suggests a thorough investigation into the claims.

⚖️ Telegram abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act — its moderation is within industry standards and constantly improving.

✈️ Telegram's CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe.

😵‍💫 It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner…

— Telegram Messenger (@telegram) August 25, 2024

Russia-France Tensions Flare Following Telegram CEO’s Arrest

According to a recent report by the Wall Street Journal, Russian officials have “reacted angrily” to Pavel Durov’s arrest. Early Sunday, the Russian Embassy in France issued a statement accusing French authorities of refusing to cooperate with their efforts to reach Durov.

A translated version of the statement reads: 

“After the news of P.V. Durov’s detention appeared in the media, we immediately requested clarification from the French authorities about the reasons and demanded that they ensure the protection of his rights and provide consular access. As of today, the French side has so far avoided engaging on this issue”.

The Wall Street Journal reports that some Russian officials have characterized the arrest as an indirect hostile act towards Russia. While some sources indicate that Durov holds dual citizenship with France and Russia, others claim he has dual citizenship with France and the U.A.E.

French officials are anticipated to make a statement about the arrest on Monday, the Paris prosecutor’s office reportedly told NPR. French media suggests that Durov may face charges related to Telegram’s operations and alleged deficiencies in moderation, including accusations of money laundering and “pedocriminal content.” Although some news outlets have suggested that Durov could face up to 20 years in prison, this figure was not mentioned in the initial reports by French media.

Toncoin (TON), linked to Telegram, has dropped 20% since the arrest and was down 0.84% on Monday.

France ‘Crosses a Red Line’ by Arresting Durov — Rumble chief

The founder and CEO of Rumble, a YouTube alternative that brands itself as “immune to cancel culture,” stated that he has “departed” from Europe following the arrest of Telegram’s Pavel Durov. On Sunday, August 25, Chris Pavlovski, a Canadian national, posted on X, “I’ve just safely departed from Europe.”

I’m a little late to this, but for good reason — I’ve just safely departed from Europe.

France has threatened Rumble, and now they have crossed a red line by arresting Telegram’s CEO, Pavel Durov, reportedly for not censoring speech.

Rumble will not stand for this behavior and…

— Chris Pavlovski (@chrispavlovski) August 25, 2024

He alleged that France had “threatened Rumble” and “crossed a red line” by arresting Telegram’s Pavel Durov. In November 2022, Rumble blocked access for French users, stating that the French government had requested the removal of “certain Russian news sources,” a request the company said it intended to legally challenge. In May, Russia also blocked Rumble due to the platform’s refusal to comply with its censorship demands.

“We are currently fighting in the courts of France, and we hope for Pavel Durov’s immediate release,” Pavlovski said. He did not explain his departure from the country or give any details about his current whereabouts.