Telegram Founder Durov Responds to French Investigation, Defends Platform

Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram messaging app, has responded to the ongoing investigation in France, expressing his concerns about the approach taken by French authorities. In his first public statement since his detention in late August 2024, Durov emphasized that direct communication with Telegram would have been more appropriate than detaining him.

Telegram, founded by Durov in 2013, has grown to become a major player in the messaging app market, boasting over 700 million monthly active users as of 2023. The platform is known for its strong emphasis on privacy and encryption, which has sometimes led to controversy.

Addressing the allegations, Durov stated:

"The claims in some media that Telegram is some sort of anarchic paradise are absolutely untrue. We take down millions of harmful posts and channels every day."

He further explained that Telegram had established a "hot line" for French authorities and appointed an EU representative, providing channels for direct communication. This approach aligns with Telegram's history of implementing features like self-destructing messages and secret chats to enhance user privacy.

Durov, who was born in Russia but is now a French national, criticized the use of "laws from the pre-smartphone era" to charge a CEO with crimes committed by third parties on the platform. This stance reflects his long-standing advocacy for digital privacy and freedom of speech.

The investigation into Telegram focuses on alleged crimes related to child pornography, drug trafficking, and fraudulent transactions associated with the app. It's worth noting that Telegram has faced bans or restrictions in several countries, including Russia and Iran, due to concerns over its potential use by extremist groups.

Despite these challenges, Telegram has continued to evolve, introducing a premium subscription model in 2022 and supporting large group chats of up to 200,000 members. The platform has also been used as a communication tool during political protests in various countries, highlighting its significance in global communication.

As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen how this situation will impact Telegram's operations and its relationship with French authorities. The outcome could have implications for other messaging platforms and the broader debate on digital privacy and content moderation in the ever-evolving landscape of online communication.