Telegram's Pavel Durov Challenges Arrest: Says France Used Outdated Laws

Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov, following his arrest in France, criticized the decision as 'misguided,' emphasizing that developers should not be personally liable for the misuse of their platforms. He promised improvements to address illicit content issues and defended the app's commitment to user rights.

In his first public statement since being detained in France, Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov described his arrest as a 'misguided approach' to tackle illicit content on the social media platform. Durov, who was taken into custody last week, faces charges for allegedly allowing criminal activities on the app.

Speaking via his Telegram channel on Friday, Durov expressed his confusion and criticism toward French authorities, suggesting they should have initially approached Telegram with their concerns instead of targeting him personally.

The 39-year-old billionaire has been accused of facilitating the spread of child sexual abuse material, fraud, and drug sales on Telegram, as stated by French prosecutors. 'No innovator will ever build new tools if they know they can be personally held responsible for potential abuse of those tools,' Durov wrote, as reported by the New York Times.

Durov acknowledged that the rapid growth of Telegram, now used by 950 million people, has inadvertently made it an easy target for criminal exploitation. Emphasizing his commitment to resolving these issues, he stated, 'That's why I made it my personal goal to ensure we significantly improve things in this regard.'

Despite criticisms from French prosecutors about Telegram's inadequate response to criminal investigations, Durov found the arrest 'a surprise.' He denied that Telegram is an 'anarchic paradise,' noting the platform removes millions of harmful posts daily. Durov announced that Telegram will soon introduce more measures to combat abuse.

'We are driven by the intention to bring good and defend the basic rights of people, particularly in places where these rights are violated,' Durov added. He suggested that France's use of outdated laws, originating from the 'pre-smartphone era,' is an inappropriate basis for charging him with crimes committed by Telegram users, arguing that legal action should target the company instead.

Durov also highlighted the complex balance Telegram maintains between privacy and security, stating that the platform has resisted governmental pressures in Russia and Iran, even at the risk of being banned. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)