Why Telegram's CEO Pavel Durov was arrested in France

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Telegram founder Pavel Durov has been arrested in connection with an investigation into criminal activity on the app.

Durov was arrested at Le Bourget airport near Paris on Saturday (24 August) following a judicial investigation that was opened on 8 July 2024.

The investigation was opened on charges of web-mastering an online platform to enable an illegal transaction in an organised group, refusal to communicate at the request of authorities and complicity in the distribution of child pornography, selling of drugs and money laundering amongst others.

Don't miss: Telegram scams spike 137.5% in Singapore in first half of 2024

In a statement seen by MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, prosecutor Laure Beccuau said that it is within the procedural framework that Durov was questioned by investigators.

Durov's arrest has since become a point of debate about free speech on the internet. French president Emmanuael Macron dismissed false accusations from Telegram supporters saying, "The arrest of the president of Telegram on French soil took place as part of an ongoing judicial investigation. It is in no way a political decision. It is up to the judges to rule on the matter."

"France is deeply committed to freedom of expression and communication, to innovation, and to the spirit of entrepreneurship. It will remain so," said Macron.

"In a state governed by the rule of law, freedoms are upheld within a legal framework, both on social media and in real life, to protect citizens and respect their fundamental rights," he added.

Macron also said that it is up to the judiciary, in full independence, to enforce the law.

Following Durov's arrest, Telegram has since put out a statement on X saying that it abides by EU law, including the digital services act. It added that its moderation is within industry standards and is 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 are responsible for abuse of that platform," said Telegram.

"Almost a billion users globally use Telegram as a means of communication and as a source of vital information. We’re awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation. Telegram is with you all," it added.

Durov's arrest comes at a time when various countries in Asia are clamping down on safety on social media and messaging platforms.

In Singapore, it was reported that Telegram scams have spiked 127.5% in the first half of 2024. According to a report by Singapore Police Force, among the Telegram scam cases, 38.6% were investment scams, 29.6% were eCommerce scams and 25% were job scams.

Meanwhile, in Malaysia, communications minister Fahmi Fadzil reportedly told Telegram to be more responsible in ensuring that no criminal activities are committed on the platforms.

Speaking at a press conference, the minister reportedly said the problem with Telegram is that it allegedly involves the misuse of accounts for pornography and the sale of prohibited substances such as drugs.

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