Pavel Durov, Telegram’s CEO, returned to Dubai after his arrest in France connected to the app’s criminal usage. He remains under investigation but expressed gratitude towards his supporters and his desire to enhance content moderation on the platform. Accusations include failure to control criminal activities and non-cooperation with law enforcement.
Pavel Durov, founder and CEO of Telegram, announced his return to Dubai, UAE, after being arrested in France seven months prior on charges related to the misuse of his messaging app. He is still under investigation, according to a spokesperson from the Paris prosecutor’s office. It has been confirmed that the “obligations of judicial supervision” were briefly suspended from March 15 to April 7 without specifying conditions for his departure from France.
Durov expressed relief at being back home, stating, “The process is ongoing, but it feels great to be home.” He highlighted his gratitude towards the investigative judges and his legal team for their efforts in demonstrating that Telegram has always prioritized moderation and cooperation in combating crime.
Having founded Telegram in 2013, Durov left Russia the following year, resisting government demands to shut down opposition disclosures on his previous platform, VKontakte. His messaging service has over 950 million users across various regions, including the Middle East and Eastern Europe. In his message, he thanked the global users for their support during this ordeal, asserting that “there is nothing our billion-strong community can’t overcome.”
In August, Durov was apprehended after his private jet arrived at Le Bourget Airport in Paris. He faced allegations ranging from failure to control criminal activities on the app, such as drug trafficking and fraud, to accusations of not cooperating with law enforcement. He termed his arrest as “misguided” and highlighted that blaming a CEO for third-party actions on a platform is undesirable, stating, “If a country is unhappy with an Internet service, the established practice is to start a legal action against the service itself.”
Despite his release, Durov was initially required to remain in France. He plans to enhance Telegram’s measures against users engaging in illicit activities, recognizing that a small fraction of users undermines the platform’s reputation. Durov mentioned a significant commitment to improving moderation practices on Telegram this year, reiterating that while the majority of users are law-abiding, the actions of the minority can jeopardize the platform’s integrity. Telegram has also partnered with the Internet Watch Foundation to better manage flagged material.
Pavel Durov’s recent return to Dubai marks a significant moment following his arrest in France related to allegations concerning the misuse of Telegram for criminal purposes. Under investigation, Durov emphasizes his commitment to enhancing the platform’s response to illicit activities, aiming to shift moderation from a point of contention to recognition. His determination to protect the interests of Telegram’s vast user base persists as he navigates these legal challenges and takes steps to improve the platform’s reputation.
Original Source: www.upi.com
