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On Sunday, August 25, Telegram officially responded for the first time to the arrest of its founder and CEO, Pavel Durov, in France. This incident has drawn international attention and sparked widespread discussions surrounding the platform, which has long been one of the world’s leading communication tools.
The statement from Telegram comes amidst serious allegations from the French authorities. Durov was arrested following a request from the French Office for the Fight Against Crimes Against Minors, which is investigating the activities of pedophiles using social networks to commit their crimes. French officials believe that Telegram has become a significant platform for such criminals, putting many users, especially minors, at risk.
In response to these accusations, Telegram stated that the company fully complies with European laws, and that its content moderation principles adhere to the highest industry standards. The company also emphasized that these standards are continuously improving, with ongoing efforts to enhance user safety.
“Telegram’s head, Pavel Durov, has nothing to hide and frequently travels across Europe. It is absurd to claim that the platform or its owner is responsible for the misuse of this platform,” the statement from Telegram read.
Telegram expressed hope for a swift resolution of this situation and reaffirmed its commitment to cooperating with authorities to address all concerns related to platform security. However, for Pavel Durov, the situation is becoming increasingly serious, as he faces up to 20 years in prison if the court finds him complicit in crimes committed through Telegram.
This case raises new global questions about the responsibility of platforms for the content shared by their users. Should social media networks be held fully accountable for the actions of their users? And where is the line between freedom of speech and protecting society from threats? The answers to these questions could reshape the rules for many tech giants.
As the situation remains unresolved, the global community closely follows the developments, which may have long-lasting consequences for the entire social media industry.
