telegram CEO Pavel Durov recently made his first public statement since his arrest in France, addressing the platform's rapid growth to 950 million users and the challenges it brought. Durov acknowledged that the platform's expansion resulted in "growing pains" that enabled criminal misuse, leading to his arrest by French authorities.
On August 24, Durov was apprehended at Le Bourget Airport near Paris as part of an investigation into telegram's alleged involvement in criminal activities like drug trafficking and the distribution of illegal content. The authorities attributed these issues to a lack of adequate content moderation on the platform, ultimately charging Durov with managing an online platform that facilitated illegal activities by organized groups.
This incident is part of a larger inquiry into tech platforms' handling of illicit content, sparking international discussions on internet regulation, free speech, and the accountability of tech CEOs in managing platform content.
French Authorities Warned of Personal Liability Due to Platform Misuse: Durov
In a post on telegram, Durov revealed that French authorities warned him about potential personal liability for others' misuse of the platform due to telegram's failure to address their requests promptly. Despite having an official EU representative dedicated to handling inquiries from the EU, Durov found this warning surprising.
Durov Criticizes Arrest, Calls CEO Accountability for User Misconduct Unfair
Expressing his disagreement with the arrest strategy, Durov argued against holding a CEO accountable for third-party offenses on the platform. He emphasized the importance of not discouraging innovators by making them personally liable for potential misuse of their creations, highlighting telegram's active cooperation with EU demands and the daily removal of harmful posts.
Durov acknowledged that while telegram is not perfect, claims portraying it as an anarchic paradise are inaccurate. He committed to enhancing the platform's approach to handling harmful content and simplifying the process for authorities to submit requests through the app.
telegram CEO Durov Could Receive 20-Year Sentence, But Legal Factors May Lighten Outcome
If found guilty on all charges under the strictest interpretations of the law, Durov could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. However, factors like potential acquittals, plea bargains, or the judge's sentencing discretion could affect the severity of his punishment.
Currently out on a €5 million bail, Durov is prohibited from leaving France until at least March 2025 and must regularly check in with the police. While not imprisoned, his freedom remains significantly restricted as he awaits further legal proceedings.
